2 syllables: Suf, fice. Stress on fice.
suh-FEYES
/səˈfaɪs/
Suffice is pronounced suh-FEYES (/səˈfaɪs/). It has two syllables (Suf-fice), with the stress on "fice". Suffice is a verb meaning to be enough or adequate for a given purpose, often used in formal or literary contexts. In standard usage, it implies that something meets the required extent or degree, without excess. It can also express a succinct alternative, as in a brief statement that will suffice to address a matter.
nounSuffice is a verb meaning to be enough or adequate for a given purpose, often used in formal or literary contexts. In standard usage, it implies that something meets the required extent or degree, without excess. It can also express a succinct alternative, as in a brief statement that will suffice to address a matter.
"One paragraph should suffice for this report."
"A simple apology will likely suffice to mend things."
"The evidence may suffice to prove the point beyond doubt."
Suffice is pronounced with two syllables: /səˈfʌɪs/ in general American and British English. The first syllable is unstressed (schwa), the second carries primary stress: “suh-FYCE.” The vowel in the second syllable is the near-open front unrounded /ʌ/ followed by a diphthong /aɪ/ and the final /s/.
Common errors include stressing the first syllable (SUF-fice) rather than the second, and mispronouncing the ending as /ɪz/ or /əs/. Some learners also flatten the diphthong, saying /səˈfɪs/ instead of /səˈfʌɪs/. To correct: keep the second syllable as /ɪaɪ/ (or /aɪ/) glide, and ensure the /f/ remains unvoiced followed by a crisp /s/.
In US/UK/AU, the core vowel in the second syllable remains a diphthong /aɪ/; rhoticity does not drastically change the word. Some US speakers may have a slightly flatter /aɪ/ or reduced schwa before the /f/. Australian speech may show a slightly broader vowel quality on the /ʌ/ and a more open /aɪ/. Overall, the key is stress on the second syllable and maintaining the /f/ + /ɪ/ glide into /s/.
The difficulty lies in maintaining a strong, accurate /ˈf/ followed by a clean /aɪ/ diphthong within the same syllable, without inserting an extra vowel or altering the glide. The two-syllable rhythm and the unstressed first syllable require precise timing: /sə/ quickly reduces before the prominent /ˈfʌɪs/. Mastery requires practicing the transition from a weak schwa into a high-front diphthong.
A distinctive point is the strong onset of the stressed second syllable with the /f/ immediately followed by the diphthong /aɪ/. Some learners mis-tie the /f/ to a weaker vowel; focus on a crisp /f/ release into the /aɪ/ glide while keeping the first syllable reduced to /sə/.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Suffice"!
Suffice comes from Middle English suffisen, borrowed from Old French suffire, derived from Latin sufficere, structure formed from sub- ‘under, up to’ + fungi, ‘to perform, to perform, to execute’ (from facere, ‘to make, to do’). The Latin sufficere originally meant ‘to be sufficient, to fill up, to suffice’ and was used in classical Latin law and rhetoric to denote adequacy. In Middle English, suffisen evolved with some spelling variation (suffice) and gained two related senses: ‘to be adequate’ and, more rarely, ‘to suffice someone with something’ in the sense of supplying what is needed. By the 16th–17th centuries, suffice settled into its primary sense: to be enough for a purpose, often appearing in formal, academic, or literary prose. The word’s trajectory mirrors a broader shift in English towards concise, purposeful phrasing, and its pronunciation preserved a two-syllable structure with primary stress on the second syllable in many uses. The noun form sufficiency is a separate derivation built on the same root, emphasizing quantity rather than adequacy; while suffice as a verb remains the dominant form today. First known uses appear in late Middle English literature, with clear attestations in legal and scholarly writing as the term for adequacy rather than excess.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Suffice" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Suffice" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Suffice" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Suffice"
-ice sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
