INADEQUATE
Dictionary entry overview: What does inadequate mean?
• INADEQUATE (adjective)
The adjective INADEQUATE has 2 senses:
1. (sometimes followed by 'to') not meeting the requirements especially of a task
2. not sufficient to meet a need
Familiarity information: INADEQUATE used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
• INADEQUATE (adjective)
Meaning:
(sometimes followed by 'to') not meeting the requirements especially of a task
Context examples:
inadequate training / the staff was inadequate / she was inadequate to the job
Similar:
deficient; lacking; wanting (inadequate in amount or degree)
incapable; incompetent; unequal to (not meeting requirements)
short-handed; short-staffed; undermanned; understaffed (inadequate in number of workers or assistants etc.)
Also:
unsatisfactory (not giving satisfaction)
Attribute:
adequacy; adequateness (the quality of being able to meet a need satisfactorily:)
Antonym:
adequate ((sometimes followed by 'to') meeting the requirements especially of a task)
Meaning:
Not sufficient to meet a need
Synonyms:
inadequate; short; poor
Context examples:
an inadequate income / a poor salary / money is short / on short rations / food is in short supply / short on experience
Similar:
deficient; insufficient (of a quantity not able to fulfill a need or requirement)
