Adequate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈa-di-kwət/ ad·e·quate

Meaning & Definition of Adequate

Adequate (adjective)

  1. sufficient for a specific need or requirement; also, good enough, of a quality that is good or acceptable, of a quality that is acceptable but not better than acceptable
  2. lawfully and reasonably sufficient

Adequate (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards

    "this old computer is probably adequate if you just want to type a term paper"

    similar: acceptable, all right, decent, fairish, fine, good, OK, passable, respectable, satisfactory, serviceable, tolerable, up to snuff
    related: agreeable, bearable, endurable, sufferable, average, fair, indifferent, mediocre, middling, minimal, common, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-rate, so-so, standard, unexceptional, appropriate, correct, due, fitting, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable, useful, worthy, gratifying, satisfying
    opposite: deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wanting
    near: disagreeable, disreputable, improper, indecent, objectionable, unfit, unsuitable, unworthy, useless, wrong, bad, cheap, defective, faulty, imperfect, incomplete, lamentable, pitiful, shoddy, dissatisfying, insufficient, meager, mean, miserly, poor, scanty, shabby, short, skimpy, spare, stingy, insufferable, intolerable, unbearable, unendurable, atrocious, execrable, miserable, vile, wretched, exceptional, exquisite, extreme, fancy, first-class, high-grade, matchless, maximized, maximum, optimal, optimum, peerless, preeminent, premium, special, supreme, unmatched, unparalleled, A1, bang-up, banner, boss (slang), capital, classic, crackerjack, dandy, divine, fabulous, first-rate, grand, great, groovy, heavenly, jim-dandy, keen, marvelous, neat, nifty, noble, par excellence, prime, sensational, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unsurpassed, wonderful

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Adequate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Adequate:

acceptable, all right, decent, fairish, fine, good, OK, passable, respectable, satisfactory, serviceable, tolerable, up to snuff

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Adequate

Words with the opposite meaning of Adequate:

deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wanting

Related Words for Adequate

agreeable, bearable, endurable, sufferable, average, fair, indifferent, mediocre, middling, minimal, common, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-rate, so-so, standard, unexceptional, appropriate, correct, due, fitting, meet, proper, right, seemly, suitable, useful, worthy, gratifying

Near Antonyms of Adequate

disagreeable, disreputable, improper, indecent, objectionable, unfit, unsuitable, unworthy, useless, wrong, bad, cheap, defective, faulty, imperfect, incomplete, lamentable, pitiful, shoddy, dissatisfying, meager, mean, miserly, poor, scanty, shabby, short, skimpy, spare, stingy

Word Forms of Adequate

Derived words: adequateness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Adequate

borrowed from Latin adaequātus, past participle of adaequāre "to equalize, put on an equal footing," from ad- ad- + aequāre "to make level, equalize" equate

First known use: circa 1617

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Adequate

Frequently Asked Questions about Adequate

What does "Adequate" mean?

"Adequate" means sufficient for a specific need or requirement; also, good enough, of a quality that is good or acceptable, of a quality that is acceptable but not better than acceptable. As an adjective, it is defined as: sufficient for a specific need or requirement; also, good enough, of a quality that is good or acceptable, of a quality that is acceptable but not better than acceptable.

What is another word for "Adequate"?

Other words for "Adequate" include acceptable, all right, decent, fairish, fine, good, OK and passable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Adequate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Adequate"?

There are 44 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Adequate". Common alternatives include acceptable, all right, decent, fairish, fine, good, OK, passable, respectable and satisfactory.

What is the opposite of "Adequate"?

Antonyms of "Adequate" include deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, unacceptable, unsatisfactory and wanting. Near antonyms include disagreeable, disreputable, improper and indecent.

How do you use "Adequate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Adequate" in a sentence: "this old computer is probably adequate if you just want to type a term paper".

Is "Adequate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Adequate" is an adjective.

Is "Adequate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Adequate" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "Adequate"?

"Adequate" is pronounced /ˈa-di-kwət/ and divided into syllables as ad·e·quate.