How to pronounce sufficient
Say it like suh-FISH-unt. Sufficient has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FISH).
- suh
- FISH
- unt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sufficient 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.
- FISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- untKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of sufficient
American and British speakers say sufficient in essentially the same way: /səˈfɪʃənt/ in the US and /səˈfɪʃənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: suh-FISH-unt.
What does sufficient mean?
- of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant“sufficient food”
Where does sufficient come from?
From Old French sufisanz, soficient, from Latin sufficiēns, present participle of sufficiō.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with sufficient
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sufficient.
Questions about saying sufficient
How do you pronounce sufficient?
Say suh-FISH-unt. The American pronunciation is /səˈfɪʃənt/. In British English it is /səˈfɪʃənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sufficient?
Sufficient has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FISH). Broken into parts: suh · FISH · unt.
Do Americans and Brits say sufficient the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /səˈfɪʃənt/ and the British form is /səˈfɪʃənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.