Main Entry: ad·e·quate

Pronunciation: \-kwət\

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