adequate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
    equal.
    • she had adequate training
    • her training was adequate
    • she was adequate to the job
    • he was equal to the task
  2. adjective satellite sufficient for the purpose
    decent; enough.
    • an adequate income
    • the food was adequate
    • a decent wage
    • enough food
    • food enough
  3. adjective satellite about average; acceptable
    passable; fair to middling; tolerable.
    • more than adequate as a secretary

WordNet

Ad"e*quate adjective
Etymology
L. adaequatus, p. p. of adaequare to make equal to; ad + aequare to make equal, aequus equal. See Equal.
Definitions
  1. Equal to some requirement; proportionate, or correspondent; fully sufficient; as, powers adequate to a great work; an adequate definition.
    Ireland had no adequate champion. De Quincey.
    Syn. -- Proportionate; commensurate; sufficient; suitable; competent; capable.
Ad"e*quate transitive verb
Etymology
See Adequate, a.
Definitions
  1. To equalize; to make adequate. R. Fotherby.
  2. To equal. Obs.
    It [is] an impossibility for any creature to adequate God in his eternity. Shelford.

Webster 1913