WordGarden.ioenough
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪnˈʌf/
US
- /iˈnəf/
Meanings
Determiner
as much or as many as needed
Pronoun
a sufficient amount or number
Adverb
to the needed or desired degree
Interjection
used to say that something should stop
Beyond the definition
"Enough" is about having as much as you need, not more than you need. Think of a baker making cookies: they need enough flour for the dough, but too much would ruin the recipe. The word describes an amount or degree that meets a need. You might say you have "enough money" for a treat, or that one kind comment was enough to make someone feel better. It also helps people set limits, as in "That's enough" or "Enough is enough." It is a simple word, but people use it in many everyday situations.
"Enough" means a quantity or degree that is sufficient for a need, purpose, or situation. It is a simple word, but it can talk about practical needs, personal limits, and the feeling that something is finally complete.
We use "enough" in practical ways all the time: "Do we have enough chairs for everyone?" or "Is there enough time to finish the project?" In these cases, it means the amount meets the need. But it can also carry strong feeling. Saying "I've had enough!" shows frustration and a wish for something unpleasant to stop. "Enough is as good as a feast," an old proverb, suggests that having what you need can be better than always wanting more.
In a sentence, "enough" moves around depending on what it describes. It usually comes before nouns, as in "enough water" or "enough sleep," but after adjectives and adverbs, as in "warm enough" or "quickly enough." It is often about balance: not too little and not too much. A parent might tell a child, "That's enough candy!" to set a boundary. A friend might say, "You've done enough," to offer comfort and appreciation.
The idea of "enough" also reaches beyond grammar. It makes us think about the difference between what we need and what we want. So whether you are measuring ingredients, setting limits, or deciding when to stop, "enough" marks the point where a need has been met. It sits in the space between too little and too much, which is why it is such a useful and human word.
Examples
- 1
Food supply
We have enough food for two days.
- 2
Temperature check
Is the coffee hot enough to drink?
- 3
Speaking volume
She didn’t speak loudly enough for everyone to hear her.
- Patternloudly enough for someone to do something
as loudly as needed for that result
- 4
Age requirement
Are you old enough to stay home alone?
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Quantity
One small bag won’t be enough.
- 6
Remaining portion
There’s enough of the cake left for tomorrow.
- Patternenough of the + thing
as much of a particular thing as needed
- 7
Frustration limit
I’ve had enough of his excuses.
- Phrasehave had enough of
be no longer willing to accept something
- 8
Polite limit
That’s enough, thank you.
- 9
Acceptable standard
It doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be good enough.
- Phrasegood enough
acceptable, even if not perfect
- 10
Acceptance
Fair enough, we can talk about it later.
- Phrasefair enough
used to say you accept what someone said or decided
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- plenty of
- a fair amount of
Contrast
- insufficient
- too much
Used with (collocations)
- enough time
- enough money
- enough room
- enough for
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- enoughadjectiveadverbnoun