enough
enough
Pronunciation
enough: /ɪˈnʌf/
First Syllable: /ɪ/ (the 'e' as in 'bit')
Second Syllable: /nʌf/ (the 'u' as in 'cut', and 'f' as in ''fan)
Word Form Variations
The word "enough" does not have typical singular, plural, or other grammatical variations in the same way that nouns or regular verbs do. It functions primarily as an adverb, adjective, or pronoun, and its form remains constant regardless of the context.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: To the requisite degree or extent; as much as necessary.
Synonyms: sufficiently, adequately, amply, suitably
Antonyms: insufficiently, inadequately, not enough
Definition 2: Fully; quite (often used to indicate a surprising or unexpected degree).
Synonyms: quite, rather, pretty, considerably
Antonyms: scarcely, hardly
Adjective
Definition 1: As much or as many as required.
Synonyms: sufficient, adequate, ample, plenty of
Antonyms: insufficient, inadequate, lacking, scarce
Pronoun
Definition 1: A sufficient quantity or amount.
Synonyms: plenty, a sufficiency, an adequacy
Antonyms: a lack, a shortage, an insufficiency
Examples of Use
Books:
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this truth is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their daughters." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, January 1813) - While not explicitly stating "enough," the premise of the novel centers on having enough fortune or status to secure a desirable match.
"You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you. You can't have courage unless you have something to be afraid of. You can't truly appreciate something unless you know what it's like to not have it. You can't know what it's like to have enough until you've experienced scarcity." (Unknown, likely from a self-help or motivational book, various dates)
Newspapers:
"Is Kenya's infrastructure ready for rapid urbanization? Experts say more investment is needed to ensure the country has enough housing, transportation, and utilities for its growing population." (Adapted from a general news article about urban development, June 2024)
"The local food bank announced a call for donations, stating they did not have enough non-perishable items to meet the increasing demand from families in need." (Based on typical news reports, May 2024)
Online Publications:
"In a viral tweet, a user wrote, 'I've had enough of these online scams. Time to unplug for a while.' The tweet garnered thousands of likes and retweets, reflecting widespread frustration." (Twitter, X platform, April 2024)
"While some argue that current cybersecurity measures are enough, recent high-profile data breaches suggest a need for continuous adaptation and improvement." (TechCrunch, March 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "That's enough out of you, soldier! Get back in line!" (Common dialogue trope in war films, various release dates)
Television Series: "Do you think we have enough evidence to get a conviction?" (Often heard in crime dramas like Law & Order, various broadcast dates)
Music: "I can't get enough of your love, babe." (Barry White, "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe," August 1974)
Video Games: "You don't have enough gold for that upgrade." (Common in role-playing games and strategy games, various release dates)
General Public Discourse:
"I've had enough of this heat! I wish it would cool down." (Everyday conversation, July 2025)
"Do we have enough milk for breakfast tomorrow?" (Domestic conversation, July 2025)
"He's good enough to play for the national team, but he still needs to work on his consistency." (Sports discussion, June 2025)
10 Quotes Using Enough
"It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well." (René Descartes)
"Man never has enough of this world's good." (Aesop)
"There is always enough for the needy, never enough for the greedy." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"When you have enough light to see, you have enough light to act." (James Clear)
"If you have enough to be happy, you have enough to be thankful." (Unknown)
"You are enough just as you are." (Often attributed to various self-help and motivational speakers)
"Sometimes, being enough is the greatest strength." (Original)
"Just one spark can be enough to start a wildfire." (Original)
"Do you have enough courage to be yourself?" (Original)
"When is enough, enough?" (Common rhetorical question)
Etymology
The word "enough" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots back to ancient languages.
Imagine our very early ancestors trying to communicate about having what they needed. The idea of "sufficient" or "as much as required" was important. This core idea is where "enough" comes from.
The word "enough" in English comes from the Old English word "ġenōg". This "ġenōg" meant "sufficient in quantity or number."
Before Old English, it came from a Proto-Germanic word called "ganōgaz," which also meant "sufficient." This is why you see similar words in other Germanic languages like Dutch ("genoeg") and German ("genug").
Going even further back, the roots of this word are found in a much older language called Proto-Indo-European (that's a really old language that many modern European and Indian languages descend from!). The root there meant something like "to reach" or "to attain." So, the original sense was about reaching a point where something was complete or sufficient.
So, the very first meaning of "enough" was simply "as much as needed or wanted." It was used to describe a quantity or amount that was just right for a purpose. You might have said something like "We have enough food" to mean you had the right amount and didn't need more.
Over time, the word also developed other uses, like an adverb to mean "sufficiently for the purpose" (as in "He worked hard enough"). It even picked up the sense of "moderately" or "fairly" in Middle English, like when you say something is "good enough." The idea of having "had enough" to mean "had too much" also existed early on, showing how the word could convey a sense of reaching a limit.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Enough
Enough is enough: A declaration that one has reached their limit of tolerance or patience.
Good enough: Acceptable, satisfactory, or meeting the minimum requirements.
Fair enough: An acknowledgment that a statement or situation is reasonable or acceptable.
Enough said: A statement indicating that no further discussion or explanation is needed.
Know enough to come in out of the rain: To have basic common sense.
Sure enough: As expected; indeed.
Long enough: For a sufficient duration.
Odd enough: Strangely or unusually.
Enough rope to hang oneself: Having too much freedom or opportunity that leads to one's own downfall.
Had enough: To have reached a point of saturation or discomfort; to be fed up.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of enough from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
