- 1not enough; not good enough inadequate supplies inadequate for something The system is inadequate for the tasks it has to perform. inadequate to do something The food supplies are inadequate to meet the needs of the hungry. opposite adequate
- 2(of people) not able, or not confident enough, to deal with a situation synonym incompetent I felt totally inadequate as a parent.
adverb to be inadequately prepared/insured/fundedSee inadequate in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: inadequate