adj.
Pronunciation: -kw ə t
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin adaequatus, past participle of adaequare to make equal, from ad- + aequare to equal ― more at EQUABLE
Date: circa 1617
1 : sufficient for a specific requirement < adequate taxation of goods> also : barely sufficient or satisfactory <her first performance was merely adequate >
2 : lawfully and reasonably sufficient < adequate grounds for a lawsuit>
synonyms see SUFFICIENT
– ad · e · quate · ly adverb
– ad · e · quate · ness noun