adequacy

American  

[ad-i-kwuh-see] / ˈæd ɪ kwə si /

noun

plural

adequacies

1. the state or quality of being adequate; sufficiency for a particular purpose.

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Other Word Forms

• preadequacy
  noun

Etymology

Origin of adequacy

First recorded in 1800–10; adequ(ate) + -acy

Explanation

Adequacy is the state of being sufficient for the purpose concerned. The meaning doesn't suggest abundance or excellence, or even more than what is absolutely necessary. Adequacy is simply the state of sufficiency. There is a current of equality running through the noun adequacy. The Latin word from which it is derived is adaequāre, "to make something equal to something else." The English word made its appearance in the early 1800s as a derivative of the adjective adequate. Adequacy means being equal to the requirements of the situation — no more, no less. Theater critic Walter Kerr once wrote this scathing review of an actor: "He has delusions of adequacy."

Example Sentences

Adequacy of vitamin B-12 in breast milk is particularly important for infants during the first six months of life when breastfeeding is highly recommended.

From Science Daily • Dec. 1, 2023

They could boost this further by implementing recommendations from last year's G20 Capital Adequacy Framework report, she said.

From Reuters • Jul. 16, 2023

It was, in the bluntest terms, a story about some attempts to help save the world … through initiatives with impenetrably bureaucratic names, like “the Western Resource Adequacy Program.”

From Seattle Times • May 7, 2023

Their Activity Adequacy Mind-set scores also were highest.

From Washington Post • Mar. 22, 2023

Adequacy of Constitution to deal with changing conditions.

From Our Changing Constitution by Pierson, Charles Wheeler

Related Words

• competence
• fairness
• sufficiency