adequacy

/ˈædəkwəsi/

/ˈædəkwəsi/

Other forms: adequacies

Adequacy is the state of being sufficient for the purpose concerned. The meaning doesn't suggest abundance or excellence, or even more than what is absolutely necessary. Adequacy is simply the state of sufficiency.

There is a current of equality running through the noun adequacy. The Latin word from which it is derived is adaequāre, "to make something equal to something else." The English word made its appearance in the early 1800s as a derivative of the adjective adequate. Adequacy means being equal to the requirements of the situation — no more, no less. Theater critic Walter Kerr once wrote this scathing review of an actor: "He has delusions of adequacy."

Definitions of adequacy

1. noun

   the quality of being able to meet a need satisfactorily
   synonyms: adequateness

   antonyms:

   inadequacy

   unsatisfactoriness by virtue of being inadequate

   type of:

   satisfactoriness

   the quality of giving satisfaction sufficient to meet a demand or requirement
2. noun

   the quality of being sufficient for the end in view
   synonyms: sufficiency

   antonyms:

   inadequacy

   lack of an adequate quantity or number

   types:

   ampleness

   the property of being more than sufficient; comfortable sufficiency

   type of:

   quality

   an essential and distinguishing attribute of something or someone