inadequate
gb/ɪnˈædəkwɪt/ us/ɪnˈædəkwɪt/
B1
English
~ 8000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
not enough in amount or degree
Not enough for what is needed.
Usage pattern:
[something] is inadequate for [purpose]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "inadequate" with "inappropriate". "Inadequate" means not enough in amount or degree, while "inappropriate" means not suitable or not proper in a social or moral sense.
Synonyms
insufficient (More formal; focuses very clearly on not having enough in quantity or degree.)
Antonyms
sufficient (Means enough to meet a need or requirement, the direct opposite of being inadequate in amount.)
Collocations
inadequate resources
|inadequate supply
|inadequate funding
|inadequate housing
|inadequate facilities
|grossly inadequate
Themes
daily life
|work
|resources
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The hospital has inadequate staff to deal with the number of patients.
- Many families live in inadequate housing without reliable heating.
- The evidence was inadequate to support the claim.
- They complained that the company provided inadequate safety equipment.
- The city’s water supply is inadequate during the dry season.
Learner examples
- We have inadequate time to finish this work.
- The chairs are inadequate for all the guests.
- The school has inadequate computers for the students.
- My money is inadequate to pay the full bill.
- There was inadequate food at the party.
adjective
B2
property
2
not good enough in quality
Not good enough to do its job or to meet the rules or standards.
Usage pattern:
[something] is inadequate to/for [do/doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners often use only "not good" instead of "inadequate" in formal or written contexts. Also, they may say "inadequate good" (incorrect). Use "inadequate" before a noun ("inadequate plan") or after a verb like "be" ("the plan is inadequate").
Synonyms
unsatisfactory (Focuses on not meeting expectations or standards, often used in evaluations or feedback.)
Antonyms
adequate (Means good enough in quality or standard, the basic opposite of this sense of "inadequate".)
Collocations
inadequate training
|inadequate preparation
|inadequate response
|inadequate explanation
|inadequate system
|inadequate service
Themes
evaluation
|work
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The training the staff received was completely inadequate for handling emergencies.
- The report was rejected because it gave an inadequate explanation of the problem.
- Many people feel the government’s response has been inadequate.
- The security measures at the event were clearly inadequate.
- Students complained about the inadequate feedback on their essays.
Learner examples
- The lighting in this room is inadequate for reading.
- Her preparation for the exam was inadequate.
- The company gave an inadequate answer to our questions.
- This software is inadequate for a large business.
- The hotel’s service was inadequate for the price.
adjective
B2
property
3
person lacking ability or confidence
Feeling or being seen as not good enough for something, especially in skill, role, or as a person.
Usage pattern:
[someone] feels inadequate (for/at [something])
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "inadequate" with "insecure". "Inadequate" means not good enough (in reality or in someone’s mind), while "insecure" focuses more on the feeling of not being safe or not being confident. Also, use "feel inadequate" rather than "be inadequate" when talking about emotions.
Synonyms
incompetent (Stronger and more negative; usually states that a person is not able to do a job properly, not just that they feel not good enough.)
Antonyms
confident (Opposite in terms of feeling; a confident person believes they are good enough and able to handle the situation.)
Collocations
feel inadequate
|socially inadequate
|inadequate as a parent
|inadequate at [something]
|emotionally inadequate
|make [someone] feel inadequate
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- As a new manager, she often feels inadequate when making tough decisions.
- The constant criticism made him feel completely inadequate as a father.
- In group discussions, he is quiet and seems socially inadequate.
- The role requires strong communication skills, and I worry that I am inadequate for it.
- Her partner’s success sometimes leaves her feeling inadequate by comparison.
Learner examples
- I feel inadequate at my new job.
- He feels inadequate as a parent.
- She feels inadequate when she speaks English.
- The other students are very good, so I feel inadequate.
- His words made me feel inadequate and small.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inadequate
IPA
GB/ɪnˈædəkwɪt/
US/ɪnˈædəkwɪt/
Syllables & stress
in - ad - equate (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ad)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: inadequate
Word family
Core family
Related words
adequately
adverb B2
adequacy
noun
Expressions
feel inadequate
1/fˈil ɪnˈædəkwɪt/
fixed phrase
to feel not good enough
To feel that you are not good enough, not smart enough, or not strong enough for something.
Examples
- She began to feel inadequate after comparing herself to her more experienced colleagues.
- Many parents feel inadequate when they cannot give their children everything they want.
- Speaking with native speakers can make some learners feel inadequate about their language skills.
inadequate for the purpose
1/ɪnˈædəkwɪt fɚ ðə pˈɚpəs/
fixed phrase
formal
not suitable or enough for use
Not good enough or not enough to do the thing it is meant to do.
Examples
- The review concluded that the current laws are inadequate for the purpose of protecting consumers.
- This equipment is inadequate for the purpose and should be replaced.
- The committee found the proposals inadequate for the purpose of long-term reform.