- not good enough for the purpose; inept or unsuitable: This old tent they gave us is completely inadequate—it’s equally bad at keeping out both the rain and the bugs!
- not sufficient for the purpose; not enough: The set of linens we received was so inadequate, we were asking friends for a loan of napkins and tablecloths.
- ineffectual in response to emotional, social, intellectual, and physical demands in the absence of any obvious mental or physical deficiency.
- not adequate; insufficient
- not capable or competent; lacking
