# inadequate

/ˌɪˈnædəˌkweɪt/ (US) · /ɪnˈædɪkwət/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/inadequate
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. not enough in amount

adjective · CEFR B2

not enough of something to meet a need.

For teachers: insufficient in quantity or quality to satisfy a particular requirement or purpose.

- The food supplies were inadequate for the large number of people at the camp.
- The existing infrastructure proved woefully inadequate for the sudden influx of seasonal workers, leading to significant delays in local transport.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'for' to indicate the purpose being failed.

### 2. not good enough

adjective · CEFR B2

lacking the quality or ability that is needed for a task.

For teachers: failing to reach an expected or required standard of quality or competence.

- He felt inadequate in his new job because he didn't understand the software.
- Despite her extensive experience, she felt strangely inadequate when asked to lead the international delegation through the complex legal negotiations.

### 3. an incapable person

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a person who is not able to deal with the demands of life or a specific situation.

For teachers: a person who lacks the necessary emotional or mental stability to cope with everyday life or social requirements.

- The novel describes a man who sees himself as a social inadequate.
- The report suggested that the facility was housing several social inadequates who required more intensive psychological support than the staff could provide.

Usage: Usually functions as a countable noun, often in psychological or sociological contexts.

## Examples

- The old heating system is inadequate for this large house.
- The committee found that the safety measures were inadequate to prevent a similar accident in the future.
- Despite his extensive experience, he often felt inadequate when surrounded by colleagues who had spent decades researching such a niche area of theoretical physics.

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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.