adj. Sufficient to satisfy a requirement or meet a need. See Synonyms at sufficient. [Latin adaequātus, past participle of adaequāre, to equalize : ad-, ad- + aequāre, to make equal, from aequus, equal.] ade·qua·cy (-kwə-sē), ade·quate·ness n. ade·quate·ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.