Adequate
Enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose; acceptable but not outstanding.
adjectiveAdequate
Enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose; acceptable but not outstanding.
adjectiveImagine This
Imagine planning a classroom fundraiser. You have just enough tables, chairs, and volunteers to run the event smoothly—no extras, but everything needed is there. That setup is adequate for a successful fundraiser.
Sounds Like
AD-uh-kwuht
Looks Like
Resembles the root idea of equality (aequus) and ends with the common adjective suffix -ate.
Remember This
Adequate comes from Latin adequatus (made equal), via ad- (toward) + aequare (to make equal). The key idea is meeting a minimum requirement—not excessive, just enough.
Other Forms
Connect With
sufficient, ample, satisfactory, acceptable, passable
Note
Use adequate to describe resources, evidence, performance, or conditions that meet a minimum standard. It typically pairs with for or to (adequate for the task / adequate to handle the situation). Distinguish from inadequate, which means not enough.