Adequate Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (2023)

adequate

/ˈædɪkwət/

adjective

adequate

/ˈædɪkwət/

adjective

Britannica Dictionary definition of ADEQUATE

[more adequate; most adequate]

1

:

enough for some need or requirement

  • Be sure to allow adequate [=sufficient, enough] time for the paint to dry.

  • The garden hasn't been getting adequate water.

  • The food was more than adequate for the six of us.

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2

:

good enough

:

of a quality that is good or acceptable

  • Millions of people lack adequate [=sufficient] health care.

  • The school lunch should be adequate to meet the nutritional needs of growing children.

  • The machine does an adequate job.

  • The tent should provide adequate protection from the elements.

  • The quality of his work was perfectly adequate.

    (Video) ADEQUATE definition, ADEQUATE pronunciation, ADEQUATE in a sentence, ADEQUATE meaning

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:

of a quality that is acceptable but not better than acceptable

  • Your grades are adequate but I think you can do better.

  • The quality of his work was only/merely/barely adequate.

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opposite inadequate

(Video) Adequate Meaning
(Video) Adequate | meaning of Adequate

— adequacy

/ˈædɪkwəsi/

(Video) Definition of Adequate Meaning of Adequate in dictionary

noun

[noncount]

  • Environmentalists doubt the adequacy of the regulations. [=doubt that the regulations are adequate]

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— adequately

adverb

  • Are you adequately prepared for the exam?

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(Video) Adequate - Meaning | Pronunciation || Word Wor(l)d - Audio Video Dictionary

FAQs

What is the dictionary definition of adequate? ›

adjective. as much or as good as necessary for some requirement or purpose; fully sufficient, suitable, or fit (often followed by to or for): This car is adequate to our needs. They'll provide adequate food for fifty people. barely sufficient or suitable: Being adequate is not good enough.

What is the meaning of adequate and enough? ›

When you want to say that something is enough or good enough for a particular need, use the adjective adequate. You might have an adequate amount of flour for a batch of pancakes, but not a lot extra. Adequate can also describe something that is acceptable or satisfactory, but not any better than that.

What is the meaning of adequate in a sentence? ›

enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose: He didn't have adequate time to prepare for the exam.

What is the definition of adequate in Oxford dictionary? ›

/ˈædəkwət/ enough in quantity, or good enough in quality, for a particular purpose or need an adequate supply of hot water The room was small but adequate.

What is a word that means better than adequate? ›

adjective, am·pler, am·plest. fully sufficient or more than adequate for the purpose or needs; plentiful; enough: an ample supply of water;ample time to finish.

What does not adequate enough mean? ›

: not adequate : not enough or good enough : insufficient. inadequate equipment. also : not capable.

What do you think is the most adequate definition? ›

1. enough or good enough for what is required or needed; sufficient; suitable. 2. barely satisfactory; acceptable but not remarkable.

What type of word is adequate? ›

Adequate is an adjective - Word Type.

What are two synonyms for adequate? ›

synonyms for adequate
  • acceptable.
  • capable.
  • competent.
  • decent.
  • fair.
  • satisfactory.
  • sufficient.
  • suitable.

What's another word for not adequate? ›

deficient, faulty, incompetent, incomplete, lacking, meager, poor, scarce, sketchy, skimpy, unequal, weak, bare, barren, bush-league, depleted, dry, failing, feeble, glitch.

What is the difference between adequate and sufficient vs enough? ›

ADEQUATE, SUFFICIENT and ENOUGH are slightly different in meaning. If something is adequate, there is enough of it, but only just enough. If there is sufficient quantity of something, this suggests that there is as much of it as you need.

What is the closest synonym for the word adequately? ›

The adverb adequately is a synonym for sufficiently, or suitably.

What is opposite of the word adequate? ›

Adequate means satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity. The opposite would thus be small or insufficient in quantity or amount which is scanty.

What is the difference between adequate and inadequate? ›

The Latin root of adequate means "equal to," so inadequate refers to things that aren't equal to what is expected or needed.

What does sufficient but not adequate mean? ›

The rule is that consideration must be sufficient but need not be adequate. What this means is that the law requires the parties to have entered into a bargain where each side has provided something of value that the courts can see.

Is adequate synonym for sufficient? ›

Some common synonyms of sufficient are adequate, competent, and enough.

Is Adequate the same as good? ›

If something is adequate, there is enough of it or it is good enough to be used or accepted.

What is the root word of adequate? ›

adequate (adj.)

1610s, "equal to what is needed or desired, sufficient," from Latin adaequatus "equalized," past participle of adaequare "to make equal to, to level with," from ad "to" (see ad-) + aequare "make level," from aequus "equal, even" (see equal (adj.)).

Videos

1. What ADEQUATE means • Meaning of ADEQUATE • adequate MEANING • adequate DEFINITION
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4. Adequate Meaning/Definition, Dictionary/Words
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5. Adequate Meaning
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6. What is the meaning of the word ADEQUATELY?
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