adequate looking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adequate looking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that appears satisfactory or acceptable in appearance, though it may not be particularly impressive. Example: "The restaurant had an adequate looking menu, but the food was surprisingly delicious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Just know and take solace in the fact that every school uniform in the land is ergonomically designed to make perfectly adequate looking boys and girls look like sacks of baked beans.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, the sophomore guard is shooting often before she sets her feet or gets an adequate look at the basket.

The New York Times - Sports

And Roseman says he wonders if players near the bottom of the roster will have enough work to give coaches an adequate look at their skills before cuts are made.

The New York Times - Sports

Rolnik has spent much of her five-year tenure as the UN's unpaid special rapporteur on adequate housing looking at human rights violations in countries including Rwanda and Kazakhstan.

The Guardian

If he doesn't repeal the bedroom tax, the next Labour government will". Rolnik has spent much of her five-year tenure as the UN's unpaid special rapporteur on adequate housing looking at human rights violations in countries including Rwanda and Kazakhstan.

The Guardian

There needed to be "shared expectations of what adequate work looks like," he said.

The New York Times

Hence it is adequate to look for exact methods in solving (RKP) and it is interesting to compare the behavior of different algorithms.

Computers and Operations Research

Because it has been shown that tests of selection that rely on the comparison of rates of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions have limited power when contrasting sequences with little differentiation [ 29, 47], this test is adequate to look for patterns of selection at the population level by using information derived from the phylogenetic relationships amongst the haplotypes.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Anchor Bay's "Wicker Man" is available in either its released 88-minute version ($19.99) or in a literal boxed set ($29.99) -- two discs encased in a numbered wooden box, limited to an edition of 50,000 -- the second containing the original 99-minute cut that fleshes out characters and plot lines but is hampered by the less-than-adequate-looking restored footage.

The New York Times

But maybe he regards no amount of money as adequate compensation for looking after a dog with such a terrible reputation.

The Guardian - Opinion

(Should passion fizzle out, just give up sex. Lack of desire for a mate is never an adequate rationale for "looking elsewhere").

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "adequate looking", consider whether a more descriptive adjective would provide a clearer picture. Instead of simply saying something is "adequate looking", specify what aspects make it acceptable or unremarkable.

Common error

Avoid using "adequate looking" in highly formal or professional documents. It can sound dismissive or lack precision. Opt for more precise and professional synonyms like "satisfactory", "acceptable", or describe specific attributes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adequate looking" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that its appearance meets a basic standard or requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a level of acceptability without being particularly impressive. Examples show it being used in various contexts to describe appearances.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adequate looking" describes something whose appearance is acceptable but not remarkable. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Though its usage is infrequent, it appears across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While suitable for general descriptions, more precise language may be preferred in formal contexts. Alternatives include "satisfactory appearance" or "decent looking". The phrase is a useful descriptor when you want to convey that something meets the minimum standard for visual acceptability without being exceptional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passable appearance

This alternative replaces "adequate" with "passable", emphasizing a minimal level of acceptance.

satisfactory appearance

Using "satisfactory" instead of "adequate" suggests a slightly higher degree of approval.

acceptable appearance

This emphasizes that the appearance meets a minimum requirement without being outstanding.

decent looking

Replaces "adequate" with "decent", implying a more casual and positive assessment.

moderately attractive

Focuses on the level of attractiveness being moderate, which is a specific aspect of looking.

somewhat presentable

Emphasizes the presentability aspect, suggesting it's acceptable for viewing.

averagely attractive

Highlights the average level of attractiveness, fitting the "adequate" description.

fairly good-looking

Uses a more colloquial term, "good-looking", qualified by "fairly", indicating an acceptable level.

tolerable appearance

Focuses on the appearance being just tolerable or bearable.

respectable appearance

Suggests that the appearance is good enough to be considered respectable.

FAQs

How can I use "adequate looking" in a sentence?

You can use "adequate looking" to describe something that has a satisfactory appearance, even if it's not exceptional. For example: "The restaurant had an "adequate looking" menu, but the food was surprisingly delicious."

What are some alternatives to "adequate looking"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "satisfactory appearance", "acceptable appearance", or "decent looking".

Is it always appropriate to use "adequate looking" in professional writing?

While grammatically correct, "adequate looking" might not be the best choice in formal contexts. Consider more precise terms like "satisfactory" or "acceptable" for a more professional tone.

What does "adequate looking" imply about the subject being described?

The phrase implies that the appearance is sufficient or meets the minimum requirements, but it does not suggest anything exceptional or outstanding. It's a neutral to slightly positive description.