B2adjectiveformalsocietywork
US/ɪnˈæd.ɪ.kwət/
UK/ɪnˈæd.ɪ.kwət/
not good enough or not enough for a particular purpose
In context
The village has inadequate water supplies in the dry season.
Many students felt inadequate for such a difficult task.
The report called the safety measures completely inadequate.
Words that go with inadequate
adjective + noun
- inadequate fundingInadequate funding slowed the project.
- inadequate trainingStaff received inadequate training.
adverb + adjective
- totally inadequateThe response was totally inadequate.
- woefully inadequatePublic transport here is woefully inadequate.
- grossly inadequateThe funding for rural schools is grossly inadequate.
adjective + preposition
- inadequate forThe room is inadequate for twenty people.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
The salary is inadequate to my needs.Correct: The salary is inadequate for my needs.