adequate

[ ad-i-kwit ]

adjective

1. 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.

   Synonyms: capable, enough, sufficient, competent, satisfactory

2. barely sufficient or suitable:

   Being adequate is not good enough.

3. Law. reasonably sufficient for starting legal action:

   adequate grounds.

adequate

/ ˈædɪkwəsɪ; ˈædɪkwɪt /

adjective

1. able to fulfil a need or requirement without being abundant, outstanding, etc

Derived Forms

• ˈadequately, adverb
• adequacy, noun

Other Words From

• ad·e·quate·ly adverb
• ad·e·quate·ness noun
• pre·ad·e·quate adjective
• pre·ad·e·quate·ness noun
• qua·si-ad·e·quate adjective
• su·per·ad·e·quate adjective
• su·per·ad·e·quate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of adequate¹

First recorded in 1610–20; from Latin adaequātus “matched” (past participle of adaequāre ); ad-, equal, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of adequate¹

C17: from Latin adaequāre to equalize, from ad- to + aequus equal

Example Sentences

"Fortunately, we have quite a few players who can switch positions if necessary, so we feel we have adequate depth throughout the team, which allowed us to select this group of replacements."

From BBC

That should motivate progress on long-standing needs such as closing the dangerously decrepit Men’s Central Jail and diverting qualified inmates to rehabilitation facilities; addressing problems in the child welfare system; and providing adequate substance abuse and mental health treatment.

From Los Angeles Times

"What we're most concerned about is that you've got a big increase in numbers of PAs who don't have the depth of understanding because of their background, and who are going to be let loose on the public without adequate supervision."

From BBC

While this contract was typical, the paid time it allotted wasn’t adequate to complete the work, which I would end up bringing home.

From Los Angeles Times

"Tackling reoffending with adequate investment in housing and rehabilitation schemes is imperative if the Government wants to commit to creating a more sustainable justice system and in turn a safer society for us all."

From BBC

Related Words

• acceptable
• capable
• competent
• decent
• fair
• satisfactory
• sufficient
• suitable
• tolerable