How to pronounce suffice
Say it like suh-FYCE. Suffice has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FYCE).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce suffice. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- FYCE
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Suffice pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FYCESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of suffice
American and British speakers say suffice in essentially the same way: /səˈfaɪs/ in the US and /səˈfaɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: suh-FYCE.
What does suffice mean?
- To be enough or sufficient; to meet the need (of anything); to be adequate; to be good enough.“For this plum cake, two eggs should suffice.”
- To satisfy; to content; to be equal to the wants or demands of.“A joint of lamb sufficed even his enormous appetite.”
Where does suffice come from?
From Middle English suffisen, from Middle French souffire, from Latin sufficiō (“supply, be adequate”), from sub (“under”) + faciō (“do, make”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with suffice
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of suffice.
Questions about saying suffice
How do you pronounce suffice?
Say suh-FYCE. The American pronunciation is /səˈfaɪs/. In British English it is /səˈfaɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in suffice?
Suffice has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FYCE). Broken into parts: suh · FYCE.
Do Americans and Brits say suffice the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /səˈfaɪs/ and the British form is /səˈfaɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.