inadequate
ihn-A-duhk-wiht
Inadequate (adjective) means not enough, or not good enough, for what is required. Example: “The old bridge was inadequate for the amount of traffic it carried every day.”
adjective
1
Not enough, or not good enough, for what is required.
"The old bridge was inadequate for the amount of traffic it carried every day."
"The funding was inadequate to cover the school's basic needs."
"He felt inadequate compared to his more confident colleagues."
How to use inadequate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot up to the job — too little, too weak, or not skilled enough.
Common pairings
inadequate funding
feel inadequate
grossly inadequate
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Word forms
- Plural
- inadequates
- Comparative
- more inadequate
- Superlative
- most inadequate
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old bridge was _____ for the amount of traffic it carried every day.
Etymology
From in- plus adequate.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inadequate
See all rhymes for inadequate →Frequently asked questions
What does “inadequate” mean?
The word “inadequate” means not enough, or not good enough, for what is required. In plain terms, not up to the job — too little, too weak, or not skilled enough.
How do you pronounce “inadequate”?
“Inadequate” is pronounced ihn-A-duhk-wiht (/ɪnˈædəkwɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “inadequate” in a sentence?
Here is “inadequate” used in a sentence: “The funding was inadequate to cover the school's basic needs.”
What is the opposite of “inadequate”?
The opposite of “inadequate” — its antonyms — are abundant, adequate, enough, plentiful and sufficient.
What part of speech is “inadequate”?
“Inadequate” is an adjective.
Is “inadequate” a common word?
“Inadequate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between inadequate and insufficient?
Inadequate means not good enough or not sufficient in quality as well as quantity for what is required, while insufficient specifically refers to quantity, meaning there is not enough of something. Something can be inadequate because it is poorly made even if there is a large amount of it.
Is inadequate a formal word?
Inadequate is used in both formal and everyday English, appearing in professional reports, reviews, and casual conversation alike when describing something that falls short of what is needed. It is considered a neutral, standard word rather than especially formal or informal.
What is the opposite of inadequate?
The opposite of inadequate is adequate, meaning sufficient or good enough for a particular purpose. Other opposites include sufficient and satisfactory.
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