Adequate Meaning
Adequate Definition & Usage
Sufficient or acceptable in quality or quantity, but not outstanding or exceptional.
Examples
- "The food was adequate, but I was hoping for something more exciting."
- "His performance was adequate, though it didn’t stand out in the competition."
- "The explanation was adequate, but it left a few questions unanswered."
- "She felt that the service at the hotel was adequate, nothing more."
- "The room was adequate for a short stay, though not particularly comfortable."
Sufficient to meet specific legal or formal requirements, typically in the context of standards or regulations.
Examples
- "The company’s safety measures were deemed adequate according to the new regulations."
- "The evidence provided was adequate to secure a conviction."
- "His qualifications were adequate for the position, but other candidates were more experienced."
- "The funds raised were adequate to cover the project’s initial costs."
- "The building’s insulation was found to be adequate for the local climate."
Cultural Context
'Adequate' has Latin origins, derived from 'adequatus,' meaning 'to make equal to' or 'to make fit.' The term is often used in contexts ranging from personal assessments (e.g., performance or quality) to more formal evaluations such as legal or regulatory standards. It conveys a sense of sufficiency but often with a hint of mediocrity or minimalism, depending on the context.
The Adequate Solution
Story
The Adequate Solution
Lena sat at her desk, staring at the report. She had spent days working on it, but now, as she reviewed the pages, she knew it was only adequate. The data was clear and met the basic requirements of the project, but it lacked the depth of insight her manager was hoping for. The project was due in two hours, and she didn’t have time for a complete overhaul. ‘It’s good enough,’ she thought, ‘but it’s not exceptional.’ She knew that in this line of work, being ‘adequate’ wasn’t the worst outcome, but it wasn’t something she could be proud of either. Across the room, Tom was packing up his things. He glanced over at her and smiled. ‘You finished the report?’ ‘Yeah, it’s done. I mean, it’s adequate. It meets the standards, but I could have done more if I had more time,’ Lena replied. ‘Sometimes, adequate is all you need,’ Tom said, shrugging. ‘It’s not always about exceeding expectations. As long as it’s good enough, it’s enough.’ Lena nodded. She knew he was right, but there was something unsatisfying about it. She didn’t want to just meet the expectations; she wanted to surpass them. But for today, adequate would have to be enough. Later, in the meeting, her manager skimmed through the report. ‘This is adequate,’ he said. ‘It meets the minimum requirements, but we’ll need to refine the analysis next time.’ Lena felt a bit disappointed but also relieved. ‘Adequate’ wasn’t a compliment, but it wasn’t a failure either. It was simply the baseline. As she left the office that evening, Lena realized that in some situations, ‘adequate’ was a practical solution. But she also knew that next time, she’d have more time to aim higher.
Related Words
