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

• acceptability
• satisfactoriness
• sufficiency

Example Sentences

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

Recent Examples on the Web

This bridge period starts on the date the new deal takes effect and will last a maximum six months, or end as soon as the EU’s data adequacy decision has been finalized, which is expected to happen in early 2021. —Fortune, 25 Dec. 2020

The task force would have a year from when the bill is passed to report its findings on the effectiveness and adequacy of creating a misdemeanor animal cruelty statute. —Sam Drysdale, BostonGlobe.com, 5 Apr. 2023

But candidates in the May 6 board election try to stress other issues — the district's bond construction program, the adequacy of its goals for student success and its need to retain teachers — while lamenting and sometimes blaming each other for the food-fight aspects of Judson politics. —Elizabeth Sander, San Antonio Express-News, 3 Apr. 2023

Large banks also participate in annual stress tests performed by the Federal Reserve to measure their capital adequacy. —Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 13 Oct. 2022

Republican legislative leaders said lawmakers will consider increasing teacher pay during the 2023 regular session, starting Jan. 9, after the House and Senate education committees complete their biennial educational adequacy review this fall. —Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 10 Aug. 2022

The components of the CAMELS rating system include capital adequacy, asset quality, management, earnings components, risk of running low on cash and sensitivity to market risk. —From Cnn's Krystal Hur, Nicole Goodkind And Allison Morrow, CNN, 28 Mar. 2023

The report makes clear that even public workers with strong benefits may fall short of achieving retirement income adequacy that meets their individual retirement needs. —Dan Doonan, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023

Hong Kong banks remain strong, the statement said, with capital adequacy and liquidity coverage ratios well above regulatory minimums. —Matthew Thomas, WSJ, 20 Mar. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

adequ(ate) + -acy

First Known Use

1701, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

adequacy

noun

ad·​e·​qua·​cy ˈad-i-kwə-sē 

plural adequacies

: the quality or state of being adequate