adequate

Formsadequates, adequating, adequated

1. 1
   adjective

   Good enough to meet a need or rule, but not more than that.

   Like a backpack just big enough to hold your books: it does the job.

   The old heater is adequate for such a small room.

   Her savings were barely adequate to cover the rent.

   Similarsufficient, satisfactory, acceptable, proportionate

   Oppositeinadequate

   Note
2. 2
   determiner

   Enough of something to meet a need.

   Like having just enough seats for all the guests.

   We had adequate food for the whole trip.

   There was adequate light to read by in the evening.

   Similarsufficient, enough

   Oppositeinsufficient

3. 3
   verbobsolete

   To make one thing equal to another, or to make it enough.

   Let me giue yet one instance more, of a truly intellectuall obiect, exactly adequated and proportioned vnto the intellectuall appetite.

   1622, Martin Fotherby, Atheomastix; clearing foure truthesHere, adequated means made equal to, or matched exactly to, a need.

   Note

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