3 syllables: A, de, quate. Stress on A.
AD-uh-kwuht
/ˈædəkwət/
Adequate is pronounced AD-uh-kwuht (/ˈædəkwət/). It has three syllables (A-de-quate), with the stress on "A". Adequate is an adjective meaning sufficient to meet a need or requirement. It conveys adequacy without excellence, often implying passable functionality. In formal contexts you might use it to suggest suitability without enthusiasm. The word is commonly used across professional and everyday settings to judge whether something meets minimal standards.
nounAdequate is an adjective meaning sufficient to meet a need or requirement. It conveys adequacy without excellence, often implying passable functionality. In formal contexts you might use it to suggest suitability without enthusiasm. The word is commonly used across professional and everyday settings to judge whether something meets minimal standards.
"The team had adequate funding to complete the project."
"Her explanation was adequate, but not particularly persuasive."
"The shelter provided adequate shelter from the rain."
Pronunciation is /ˈædɪˌkweɪt/ in US and UK, with stress on the first syllable and a secondary stress on the 'kweɪ' portion. Begin with the short ‘a’ as in cat, then a quick ‘duh’-like schwa before the /ˌkweɪ/ cluster. The final syllable is a clear /t/; avoid adding extra syllables after the /t/. Audio references can help—try Pronounce or Cambridge audio to hear the exact timing between syllables.
Common mistakes include merging the syllables into a dull /əˈdɪkweɪt/ by reducing the first vowel, or pronouncing as /ædɪˈkweɪt/ with misplaced stress. Another error is elongating the second syllable, turning the word into /ˈædɪˌkwɛt/. To correct: emphasize the first syllable /ˈæ/ and keep the /ɪ/ as a short, unstressed vowel; ensure the /ˌkweɪ/ has a tight /k/ plus /w/ plus /eɪ/ and end strongly with /t/ without a voiceless aspirated tail.
In US English, the /æ/ in the first syllable tends to be more fronted, with a distinct /kw/ onset in the second syllable. UK English often features a slightly longer /æ/ and crisper /t/ end. Australian English shares the non-rhotic tendency with UK, but practical auditory differences include vowel quality in the first syllable and a less prominent final /t/ release in rapid speech. The /ˌkweɪ/ cluster remains a defining feature across accents.
The challenge lies in balancing a two-syllable structure with a cluster /kw/ in the second syllable and the secondary stress pattern /ˈædɪˌkweɪt/. The initial /æ/ must be crisp without slipping into a lax schwa, and the /kweɪ/ sequence requires tight articulation from /k/ to /w/ to /eɪ/. Finally, the final /t/ must be released cleanly to avoid sounding like /-t/ or /-d/ merges in fluent speech.
The word uniquely combines an initial stressed open syllable /ˈæ/ with a distinctly weighted secondary syllable /ˌkweɪ/. The combination of a clear /æ/ vowel, a crisp /d/ onset immediately after, and a strong /kw/ blend requires careful timing and mouth position, especially in rapid speech. Paying attention to the glide from /ɪ/ to /k/ and the diphthong /eɪ/ helps avoid common slurs like /ˌɛdɪˈkweɪt/ or misplacing the stress entirely.
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US: /ˈædɪˌkeɪt/ with a robust /æ/ and clear /d/; non-rhotic tendencies are less influential since /t/ is explicit. UK: /ˈadɪˌkweɪt/ often with crisper /t/ and slightly longer first vowel; Australian: /ˈædɪˌkweɪt/ with potentially more relaxed /ɪ/ and a softer final /t/. Across all, maintain the /kweɪ/ cluster and the secondary stress on /kweɪ/; avoid merging /d/ into a light /d/ or /t/. IPA references help you monitor vowel length and consonant clarity.
Adequate comes from the Latin word adæquat-us, meaning 'made equal' or 'suitable.' The root is ad- 'toward' + æquus 'equal,' which evolved into Old French adaquer, then into Middle English as adequat(e). In English, the word carried a sense of suitability or conformity to a standard, often used in legal, mathematical, or fiscal contexts. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation settled into the modern form adequate, with the final -ate suffix indicating a property or quality. The first known uses appear in Early Modern English writings, where scholars described measures or conditions as adequate when meeting specified requirements. The semantic trajectory traces a shift from precise ‘equal to a standard’ to a broader sense of ‘sufficient or acceptable,’ preserving the core idea of meeting a criterion without implying excellence.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Adequate" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Adequate"
-ude sounds
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