adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is sufficient or satisfactory, but not necessarily excellent. For example: She did an adequate job cleaning the house, though it was far from perfect.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Method: The Tutu Tester is a mobile clinic that takes sophisticated testing equipment and trained staff (including a nurse, a counsellor and an educator) into areas without adequate health facilities.

The Guardian

"Therefore we may or may not have adequate numbers of people dealing with each call.

The Guardian

Organisations such as the Resolution Foundation and the charity Shelter, have exposed examples of rogue landlords withholding deposits unfairly, refusing long-term contracts and failing to ensure adequate standards in homes.

The Guardian - Business

It is this model that has been reinstated in force by the government of the day, without adequate resistance from either the left or the right.

The Guardian - Opinion

In other words: we do not, as yet, have an adequate response mechanism, an ability to eliminate the threat of terrorism the way decisive steps undertaken by the British SAS, the German GSG-9 and other units succeeded in reducing the number of cases involving hijacked aircraft to almost nil.

The Guardian - Opinion

While adequate staffing levels are necessary for safe and high-quality care, they are not sufficient to ensure it.

The Guardian

But because we don't collect adequate data on adolescent girls globally, we don't know how widespread the problem is.

The Guardian

Occupy Sandy's mutual aid connected the hurricane to a critique of capitalism for failing to provide infrastructures adequate to the needs of an urban population in a changing climate.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I am not sure it is adequate," Osborne said.

The Guardian - Business

The jail itself "systematically violated inmates' constitutional rights", according to a 2010 stipulation by the US Department of Justice, through the use of "excessive force by staff, the failure to protect inmates from harm by fellow inmates, inadequate medical and mental healthcare, and a lack of adequate fire safety and sanitation".

The Guardian

I'm not sure the language warning is quite adequate for a song that includes a line about ejaculating on a fur coat, but there you go – it got played regardless.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adequate", consider if a more precise term like "sufficient", "satisfactory", or "suitable" would better convey the intended level of quality or quantity. Choose the word that best fits the specific context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "adequate" as a default term for describing something that meets requirements. Sometimes, a more descriptive word like "excellent", "optimal", or "superb" might better convey the true quality or impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "adequate" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a sufficient or satisfactory level of quality or quantity. Ludwig AI confirms this aligns with common usage, demonstrating its role in describing something that meets a basic requirement or standard.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "adequate" is widely used to describe something that meets the necessary requirements or standards without necessarily being exceptional. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples from reputable sources, such as The Guardian, confirms its frequent use in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. While grammatically sound and universally understood, choosing a more precise synonym like ""sufficient"" or ""satisfactory"" can sometimes enhance clarity and impact. Therefore, understanding its nuances and usage patterns is essential for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient

Implies meeting a need or requirement, often used interchangeably with "adequate" but can sometimes suggest a higher degree of fulfillment.

enough

Indicates that something meets the necessary quantity or degree, simpler and more direct than "adequate".

satisfactory

Suggests meeting expectations or requirements without necessarily excelling, focusing on contentment.

acceptable

Indicates that something is permissible or meets a minimum standard, often implying a compromise or less than ideal situation.

suitable

Signifies appropriateness for a particular purpose or situation, emphasizing compatibility.

competent

Implies possessing the necessary skills or qualities to perform a task adequately, focusing on capability.

passable

Indicates something that is just good enough to be accepted or tolerated, often with a sense of mediocrity.

tolerable

Suggests something that can be endured or accepted, though perhaps not enjoyable or ideal, highlighting endurance.

decent

Implies conformity to standards of respectability or morality, suggesting a basic level of quality or appropriateness.

fair

Indicates impartiality and justice but can also mean satisfactory or moderate in amount or quality, focusing on equity.

FAQs

How to use "adequate" in a sentence?

Use "adequate" to describe something that is sufficient or satisfactory, but not necessarily outstanding. For instance, "The funding was "sufficient" for the initial phase of the project" or "Her explanation was "satisfactory" for the task at hand".

What can I say instead of "adequate"?

You can use alternatives like ""sufficient"", ""satisfactory"", or "acceptable", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey. "Enough" could be another alternative.

Which is correct, "adequate" or "sufficient"?

"Adequate" and ""sufficient"" are often interchangeable, but ""sufficient"" may imply a higher degree of fulfillment. Choose the term that best fits the context and the level of satisfaction you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "adequate" and "acceptable"?

"Adequate" suggests that something meets a basic need or requirement, while "acceptable" indicates that something is permissible or meets a minimum standard, often implying a compromise or less than ideal situation.