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Definition enough in British English

enough adverb, determiner, pronoun

adverb, determiner, pronoun

/ɪˈnʌf/

Enough can be used in the following ways:

as a determiner (followed by a plural or uncountable noun): There isn’t enough time.Have I made enough sandwiches?

as a pronoun: I’ve only got £12 – will that be enough? (followed by ‘of’): I read enough of the article to get the main idea.

as an adverb (after an adjective, adverb, or verb): The rope isn’t long enough.She didn’t move quickly enough.You haven’t practised enough.

Enough is sometimes used after particular nouns, but this is not common: Don’t ask questions – there’ll be time enough for that later.He had reason enough to be angry (=he had a good reason to be angry).I was fool enough to trust her (=it was foolish of me to trust her).

used for saying that an amount is as much as you need, or that a number of people or things are as many as you need

Example

He doesn't have enough experience as a classroom teacher.

Example

'Would you like something more to eat?' 'No thanks, I've had enough.'

Example

There aren't enough of us to make up a team.

Example

Do we have enough knives and forks for everyone?

Example

Some of the workers don't earn enough to live on.

Example

They have enough uranium to build more than 30,000 bombs.

Example

There wasn't enough room for us to stretch our legs out.

Example

You've had more than enough time to finish the job.

Example

Not nearly enough has been done to provide training for new staff.

Synonyms and related words

enough sufficient ample

Explore Thesaurus

1.1

used for saying that someone or something is as good, big, fast etc as necessary, or does something as much as is necessary

Example

The teachers aren't strict enough.

Example

He wants to join the army when he's old enough.

Example

He told me I hadn't been working hard enough.

Example

Sure, things have improved, but they haven't improved enough.

Example

The software isn't good enough for professional use.

Example

Three days later Thorpe was well enough to leave hospital.

Example

Not even her roommate had cared enough to warn her.

Example

The road is barely wide enough for two cars to pass each other.

Synonyms and related words

enough sufficient ample

used for saying that you do not want to experience any more of something because it is annoying or boring

Example

I've only been to one of her lectures, and that was quite enough for me!

Example

I wish you'd stop criticizing - I get enough of that from Harry.

Example

I'm leaving. I've had enough of all this nonsense!

used after an adjective or adverb for emphasis

Example

Of course she's upset. It's natural enough, after the way she's been treated.

Example

You'll meet the rest of the team soon enough.

Related Words

Words related to enough:

be man enough () (phrase) be unfortunate/unlucky/unwise/stupid etc enough to do something (phrase) can’t get enough of something (phrase) enough (adverb, determiner, pronoun) enough (adverb) enough (interjection) enough already (phrase) enough is enough (phrase) enough said (phrase) fair enough (phrase) fool enough to do something (phrase) funnily enough (phrase) give someone enough rope (to hang themselves) (phrase) have on your plate (phrase) it’s enough (phrase) just enough (phrase) near enough (phrase) not enough room to swing a cat (phrase) not good enough () old enough to be someone’s () strangely enough (phrase) enough (phrase) sure enough (phrase) that’s (quite) enough (phrase) too many chiefs (and not enough Indians) (phrase) would you be kind enough to do something (phrase)