adequate
adjective
ad·e·quate
ˈa-di-kwət 
1
: sufficient for a specific need or requirement
adequate time
an amount of money adequate to supply their needs
also
: good enough : of a quality that is good or acceptable
a machine that does an adequate job
: of a quality that is acceptable but not better than acceptable
Her first performance was merely adequate.
2
: lawfully and reasonably sufficient
adequate grounds for a lawsuit
adequateness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of adequate in a Sentence
Then, during the spring and summer, allow adequate recovery by taking one or two days off the bike each week and scaling back the intensity of your rides one week out of every month.
—
Selene Yeager, Bicycling, January/February 2008
… they are adequate for almost any computing need.
—Michael Meyer, Newsweek, 26 Oct. 1998
… the government would have to bail out any bidder with less adequate resources …
—The Economist, 30 Aug.-5 Sept. 1986
The garden hasn't been getting adequate water.
The food was more than adequate for the six of us.
The school lunch should be adequate to meet the nutritional needs of growing children.
The machine does an adequate job.
The tent should provide adequate protection from the elements.
The quality of his work was perfectly adequate.
Your grades are adequate but I think you can do better.
The quality of his work was only adequate.
Selene Yeager, Bicycling, January/February 2008
… they are adequate for almost any computing need.
—Michael Meyer, Newsweek, 26 Oct. 1998
… the government would have to bail out any bidder with less adequate resources …
—The Economist, 30 Aug.-5 Sept. 1986
The garden hasn't been getting adequate water.
The food was more than adequate for the six of us.
The school lunch should be adequate to meet the nutritional needs of growing children.
The machine does an adequate job.
The tent should provide adequate protection from the elements.
The quality of his work was perfectly adequate.
Your grades are adequate but I think you can do better.
The quality of his work was only adequate.
Recent Examples on the Web
There are still some that choose this path out of denial or for immediate financial/political gain, as well as those who feel the die is cast and no effort is adequate to stop the current course.
—Patrick Casey, Debra Fiser, Whit Hall and Gary Wheeler Special To The Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 9 Feb. 2025
The 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and breathable while still providing adequate warmth during any season.
—Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2025
The El Patron Restaurant and Bar, located at 2520 K Avenue, was also ordered to close due to a lack of adequate refrigeration and sewage disposal, according to the report.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Feb. 2025
Provident Financial Holdings continues to focus on managing its interest rate risk and maintaining adequate liquidity, with a reported liquidity ratio of 16% for the quarter.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for adequate 
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Patrick Casey, Debra Fiser, Whit Hall and Gary Wheeler Special To The Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 9 Feb. 2025
The 100% cotton fabric is lightweight and breathable while still providing adequate warmth during any season.
—Megan Schaltegger, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2025
The El Patron Restaurant and Bar, located at 2520 K Avenue, was also ordered to close due to a lack of adequate refrigeration and sewage disposal, according to the report.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Feb. 2025
Provident Financial Holdings continues to focus on managing its interest rate risk and maintaining adequate liquidity, with a reported liquidity ratio of 16% for the quarter.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for adequate
Dictionary Entries Near adequate
Cite this Entry
“Adequate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adequate. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
adequate
adjective
ad·e·quate
ˈad-i-kwət
1
: suitable or enough for a requirement
food and water adequate for six people
2
: good enough
your grades are barely adequate
adequately
adverb
adequateness
noun
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