# adequacy

/ˈædəkwəsi/ (US) · /ˈædɪkwəsi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/adequacy
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

the quality of being enough or good enough for a specific purpose. It describes when something meets the basic requirements but might not be perfect.

For teachers: the state of being sufficient or satisfactory for a particular purpose. Often used in formal contexts to describe the minimum level of quality or quantity required.

## Examples

- The team showed a basic level of adequacy in their first game.
- The committee questioned the adequacy of the current safety measures before approving the new construction project.
- While the initial report demonstrated a technical adequacy in the data collection process, it failed to address the underlying ethical concerns regarding participant consent.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.