adequate

American  

[ad-i-kwit] / ˈæd ɪ kwɪt /

adjective

1. as much or as good as necessary for some requirement or purpose; fully sufficient, suitable, or fit (often followed by to orfor ).

   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.

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adequate British  

/ ˈædɪkwəsɪ, ˈædɪkwɪt /

adjective

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

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Other Word Forms

• adequacy noun
• adequately adverb
• adequateness noun
• preadequate adjective
• preadequateness noun
• quasi-adequate adjective
• superadequate adjective
• superadequateness noun

Etymology

Origin of adequate

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

Example Sentences

Physical AI has been a tougher task for industry players because of the need to simulate real-world situations with adequate data.

From MarketWatch

Instead, the U.S. has relied on universal vaccination to protect children whose mothers don’t receive adequate care during pregnancy.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, Mobile Fortify’s widespread use by ICE has raised concerns among privacy advocates and some former officials, who argue the app is devouring huge amounts of personal information without adequate oversight.

From The Wall Street Journal

Local officials have also been ordered to ensure an "adequate security presence in and around school premises" to help protect students from future attacks.

From BBC

This expands on a previous law requiring buildings with dwelling units to maintain adequate heating and hot water.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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