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| Date: | 1100-1200 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | souffrir, from Vulgar Latin sufferire, from Latin sufferre, from sub- ( SUB-) + ferre 'to bear' |
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suf‧fer S1 W1
1 to experience physical or mental pain : At least he died suddenly and didn't suffer. She's suffering a lot of pain.
pain
[intransitive and transitive]At least he died suddenly and didn't suffer.She's suffering a lot of pain.2 if someone suffers an unpleasant or difficult experience, or is in a difficult situation, it happens to them or they experience it Small businesses have suffered financially during the recession.
bad experience/situation
[intransitive and transitive] suffer from London employers were suffering from a desperate shortage of school-leavers.
London employers were suffering from a desperate shortage of school-leavers. suffer loss/damage/injury They are unlikely to suffer much loss of business after 2001. He suffered head injuries in the crash. A man who suffered serious brain damage during an operation is suing the hospital.
They are unlikely to suffer much loss of business after 2001.He suffered head injuries in the crash.A man who suffered serious brain damage during an operation is suing the hospital.Small businesses have suffered financially during the recession.3 to become worse in quality because a bad situation is affecting something or because nobody is taking care of it [≠ benefit]: Safety might suffer if costs are cut. I'm worried and my work is beginning to suffer.
become worse
[intransitive]Safety might suffer if costs are cut.I'm worried and my work is beginning to suffer.4 to not be patient with people you think are stupid : He was a perfectionist who didn't suffer fools gladly.
not suffer fools gladly
He was a perfectionist who didn't suffer fools gladly.