Enough

Definition

Enough is an adjective, adverb, pronoun, and determiner. It indicates a sufficient quantity, amount, or degree, often meeting the needs or requirements of a situation. It is used to express adequacy and completeness.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective
• Adverb
• Pronoun
• Determiner

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ɪˈnʌf/
• Respelling: i-NUF

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ɪˈnʌf/
• Respelling: i-NUF

Etymology

The word "enough" originates from the Old English "genōg," meaning "sufficient" or "adequate." It derives from the Proto-Germanic "ganōgaz," which also meant "enough" or "sufficient." Related forms appear in several Germanic languages, including German "genug" and Dutch "genoeg."

Derivatives

• Enoughness (noun)
• Enoughly (adverb, rare)
• Self-enough (adjective)
• Enoughful (adjective, rare)
• Enoughing (adjective, archaic)

Synonyms

• Sufficient
• Adequate
• Ample

Antonyms

• Insufficient
• Inadequate
• Deficient

Usage

The term "enough" is frequently used to indicate adequacy or sufficiency, as in "He had enough money to buy the book." It can also describe the degree of something, as in "She’s tall enough to reach the shelf," and serves as a pronoun when referring to a satisfactory amount, as in "There was enough for everyone."

Related Terms

• Sufficient: Meeting the requirements or adequate in quantity.
• Ample: More than adequate or sufficient.
• Complete: Having all necessary parts or elements.

Detailed Definitions

Adjective

• Adequate in quantity or degree: Refers to an amount that meets a requirement or need.
  • Example: "The team had enough resources to complete the project."

Adverb

• To a sufficient degree: Describes the extent of an action as meeting a required standard.
  • Example: "She studied hard enough to pass the exam."

Pronoun

• An adequate amount or quantity: Used to indicate a sufficient amount of something without specifying the noun.
  • Example: "There was enough to go around."

Determiner

• Sufficient in quantity for a purpose: Precedes a noun to indicate that the amount or degree is adequate.
  • Example: "They have enough food for the trip."