adequacy
adequacy — noun
1. how large, good, or suitable something is for what is needed — for example, whet
how large, good, or suitable something is for what is needed — for example, whether a hospital’s supplies are sufficient during a crisis, or whether a student’s exam answers meet the required standard.
The hospital board questioned the adequacy of the emergency room’s weekend staffing.
adequacy + of + noun phrase for evaluating sufficiency
Dr. Patel’s report raised serious doubts about the adequacy of the local water testing.
The adequacy of the earthquake relief funds was reviewed by three independent committees.
Inspectors check the adequacy of fire escapes and emergency exits in all public buildings.
An audit measured the adequacy of the company’s cybersecurity protections against new threats.
- sufficiency
Closest synonym; identical register. 'Sufficiency' focuses more on quantity than on quality or suitability.
- appropriateness
Emphasises social or contextual suitability rather than meeting a measurable threshold.
- fitness
Highlights how well something matches a specific purpose or set of requirements, common in phrases like 'fitness for use.'
- inadequacy
Direct opposite; the state of being not enough or not good enough.
- insufficiency
Focuses on lack of quantity rather than lack of quality.
文法句型
the adequacy + of + noun phrase
verb + the adequacy + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Uncountable noun. Frequently used in formal, professional, or academic writing — it is less common in everyday conversation, where “enough” or “good enough” is preferred.