ample
UK: ˈæmpl̩ | US: ˈæmpəl
adj. more than enough in size, space, or quantity
adj. generously sufficient or abundant
ample = ampl<large> + e (silent suffix)
- ampl (from Latin amplus, meaning "large, spacious, abundant")
- e (silent suffix, no semantic function in modern English)
Etymology Origin:
The word "ample" traces back to Latin amplus, which conveyed physical spaciousness (e.g., wide fields) and metaphorical abundance (e.g., generosity). It entered Middle English via Old French ample, retaining its core sense of "more than enough." The silent -e is a vestige of Old French spelling conventions, no longer pronounced but preserved in writing. The word's evolution reflects a consistent emphasis on sufficiency and expansiveness.
The hotel room offered ample space for a family of four.
She provided ample evidence to support her argument.
The garden receives ample sunlight throughout the day.
His salary was ample to cover all his expenses.
The report left ample room for further discussion.