Difference Between Enough and Adequate

Enough vs Adequate

There are some words in English language that are nearly same in meaning. Some people are tempted to treat them as synonyms and use them interchangeably which is incorrect. We are talking about the pair of words enough and adequate that are almost same in meaning and people use them upon their whim. This article will explain the subtle differences between enough and adequate and how to use these two words correctly.

If you look up a dictionary for the meaning of the word adequate, you will find that it mostly relates to conditions where a thing is as much or as good as necessary for some requirement or purpose. Adequate can be described as fully sufficient, suitable or fit. The word is often followed by words such as for or to. Take a look at these examples.

This house is sufficient for the needs of my family

There was adequate food for 100 people.

However, there are times when adequate is used to describe situations where it is barely sufficient or suitable. For example, being adequate is not good enough. This sentence means that one requires something extra to be considered. Adequate is used in legal contexts. There the use of the word adequate means there is sufficient ground to start legal action.

Enough is also used where you mean sufficient or as much as is needed. For example, I don’t have enough time to reach the concert in time. Another example that would make the meaning clear is this. There is enough evidence against the person to initiate legal action against him. There is one very interesting use of enough when it is used twice in a sentence to signify that we wish to bring something to an end. Enough is enough means that we should put an end to the discussion that is going on for some time.

There is one way in which both adequate and enough are used in a single sentence.

This much money is adequately enough for me.

No words can be adequate enough to praise a player of his caliber.

In brief: • Adequate and enough are two English words almost similar in meaning though they cannot be used interchangeably. • Adequate means good enough or something that is sufficient for a need or requirement. • Enough is used in situations where you mean to say sufficient.