adequate

/ˈæd.ə.kwət/

Say it: AD-uh-kwit

1. adjective Satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity for a particular purpose.
The hotel room was adequate, but we were hoping for something with a better view.
2. adjective Just barely acceptable or good enough; passable.
His knowledge of the subject was adequate to pass the test, but not to earn a high grade.

📖 Seen in the wild

The food supply was adequate to feed all the refugees.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ adequate in a sentence

The emergency lighting was not adequate for a safe evacuation.
He didn't have a toolbox, but a simple wrench was adequate for the job.
Critics argued that the government's response to the disaster was far from adequate.
For this recipe, store-brand ingredients are perfectly adequate.
The court ruled that the defendant had not been provided with adequate legal counsel.
We need to ensure all employees receive adequate training on the new software.
While his apology was technically adequate, it didn't feel sincere.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

sufficient satisfactory acceptable passable competent decent enough tolerable

sufficient · implies just enough quantity to meet a need, without any surplus.

satisfactory · focuses on meeting expectations or requirements to a pleasing degree.

acceptable · suggests something meets a minimum standard and will not be rejected.

Opposites: inadequate, insufficient, deficient, lacking, unsatisfactory

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'adequate' comes from the Latin 'adaequatus', meaning 'made equal to'. It's formed from 'ad' (to) and 'aequus' (equal). The meaning evolved from being literally equal to something to being equal to the task or requirement, which gives us its modern sense of being sufficient.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

perfectly adequatemore than adequateadequate for the purposeprovide adequate resourcesensure adequate protectionless than adequate

Be mindful of the connotation of 'adequate'. While its literal meaning is neutral, it often implies mediocrity or a bare minimum. Describing someone's work as 'adequate' can be perceived as polite criticism or faint praise, suggesting it meets requirements but lacks excellence. If you want to convey a more positive meaning, 'good', 'solid', or 'satisfactory' are often better choices.

Word family: adequately, adequacy, inadequate, inadequacy

💬 Quick answers

What does 'adequate' mean?

It means something is sufficient or acceptable for a specific need or purpose. It meets the minimum standard required but is not necessarily excellent or outstanding.

Is 'adequate' a positive or negative word?

It's a neutral word that often carries a slightly negative or underwhelming connotation. Calling something 'adequate' suggests it's merely 'good enough' and can be interpreted as faint praise.

What is the difference between 'adequate' and 'sufficient'?

They are very close. 'Sufficient' typically refers to having enough of a certain quantity. 'Adequate' more often describes a quality or condition that meets a standard, implying it is suitable for a purpose.

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