adequate
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for adequate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Enough to meet a need or requirement; sufficient.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use adequate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
adequate supply
adequate protection
more than adequate
Etymology
From Latin adaequatus, "made equal to," from adaequare, "to make equal," from ad- ("to") plus aequare ("to equalize").
Full origin of adequate →Frequently asked questions
What does “adequate” mean?
The word “adequate” means enough to meet a need or requirement; sufficient. In plain terms, just enough — meeting the minimum standard needed, without necessarily being impressive.
How do you pronounce “adequate”?
“Adequate” is pronounced AD-ih-kwuht (/ˈæd.ə.kwɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “adequate” in a sentence?
Here is “adequate” used in a sentence: “The salary was adequate to cover their basic living costs.”
What part of speech is “adequate”?
“Adequate” is an adjective.
Where does the word “adequate” come from?
The word “adequate” comes from Latin. From Latin adaequatus, "made equal to," from adaequare, "to make equal," from ad- ("to") plus aequare ("to equalize").
Is “adequate” a common word?
“Adequate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between adequate and sufficient?
Both mean enough to meet a need or requirement, and in most contexts they are interchangeable. Sufficient is slightly more formal and mostly quantitative, while adequate often adds a qualitative shade — good enough in standard as well as in amount — and can sound faintly unenthusiastic, as in "the food was adequate."
Is calling something adequate a compliment?
Usually not. Although adequate literally means sufficient to meet a requirement, in everyday use it often implies "acceptable but no better," so describing a meal or a performance as adequate can read as faint praise. Tone and context decide how lukewarm it sounds.
Should you say adequate for or adequate to?
Use adequate for with a purpose or need ("the budget is adequate for our needs") and adequate to chiefly in the fixed phrase "adequate to the task" or before an infinitive ("supplies adequate to feed four"). Adequate for is by far the more common pattern in everyday writing.
