adequacy

noun

ad·​e·​qua·​cy ˈa-di-kwə-sē 

plural adequacies

: the quality or state of being adequate

Did you know?

When we question the adequacy of health-care coverage, or parking facilities, or school funding, we're asking if they are equal to our need. The adjective adequate means "enough" or "acceptable"—though in sentences like "His performance was adequate", it really means "no better than acceptable".

Synonyms of adequacy

• acceptability
• sufficiency
• goodness

Examples of adequacy in a Sentence

the fire department sent someone to determine the adequacy of the building's evacuation plan

Recent Examples on the Web

The court allowed friend-of-the-court briefs to be filed over the adequacy of the consent decree. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026

Public reporting has raised concerns about system stability, new workflows, call handling and callback functionality, delayed information, and the adequacy of hands-on training. — Sara MacHi, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Fidelity Investments has helpful benchmarks to assess retirement nest egg adequacy at various life stages. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Revising the number mid-review without support hurt bunq twice, once on adequacy and once on credibility. — Aj Dhaliwal, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

adequ(ate) + -acy

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for adequacy

• inadequacy

Kids Definition

adequacy

noun

ad·​e·​qua·​cy ˈad-i-kwə-sē 

plural adequacies

: the quality or state of being adequate