1. having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task (Freq. 17) - she had adequate training - her training was adequate - she was adequate to the job - he was equal to the task • Syn: equal • Ant: inadequate • Similar to: adequate to, capable, equal to, up to, competent • See Also: satisfactory • Derivationally related forms: adequateness • Attrubites: adequacy, adequateness 2. sufficient for the purpose (Freq. 4) - an adequate income - the food was adequate - a decent wage - enough food - food enough • Syn: decent, enough • Similar to: sufficient • Derivationally related forms: enough (for: enough), adequateness 3. about average; acceptable (Freq. 1) - more than adequate as a secretary • Syn: passable, fair to middling, tolerable • Similar to: satisfactory • Derivationally related forms: adequateness