noun
inadequacy
ih-NA-dihk-wuh-see
Inadequacy (noun) means the state of not being good enough or sufficient for what's needed. Example: “The report exposed serious inadequacies in the hospital's safety procedures.”
noun
1
The state of not being good enough or sufficient for what's needed.
"The report exposed serious inadequacies in the hospital's safety procedures."
2
A feeling of not being capable or good enough.
"He struggled with a deep sense of inadequacy after losing his job."
How to use inadequacy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFalling short — either a system that doesn't work well enough, or a personal feeling of not measuring up.
Common pairings
feelings of inadequacy
expose inadequacies
sense of inadequacy
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like inadequacy.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- inadequacies
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He struggled with a deep sense of _____ after losing his job.
Etymology
From inadequate plus -cy, or in- plus adequacy.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inadequacy
See all rhymes for inadequacy →Frequently asked questions
What does “inadequacy” mean?
The word “inadequacy” means the state of not being good enough or sufficient for what's needed. In plain terms, falling short — either a system that doesn't work well enough, or a personal feeling of not measuring up.
How do you pronounce “inadequacy”?
“Inadequacy” is pronounced ih-NA-dihk-wuh-see (/ɪˈnædɪkwəsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “inadequacy” in a sentence?
Here is “inadequacy” used in a sentence: “He struggled with a deep sense of inadequacy after losing his job.”
What part of speech is “inadequacy”?
“Inadequacy” is a noun.
How many meanings does “inadequacy” have?
“Inadequacy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the state of not being good enough or sufficient for what's needed.
