Accurate vs. Adequate

Accurate vs. Adequate — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Accurate and Adequate

Accurateadjective

Telling the truth or giving a true result; exact; not defective or faulty

an accurate calculatoran accurate measureaccurate knowledge

Adequateadjective

Equal to or fulfilling some requirement.

powers adequate to a great workan adequate definition

Accurateadjective

Deviating only slightly or within acceptable limits.

My horoscopes I read last week were surprisingly accurate.

Adequateverb

(obsolete) To equalize; to make adequate.

Accurateadjective

(obsolete) Precisely fixed; executed with care; careful.

Adequateverb

(obsolete) To equal.

ADVERTISEMENT

Accurateadjective

conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy;

an accurate reproductionthe accounting was accurateaccurate measurementsan accurate scale

Adequateadjective

(sometimes followed by `to') meeting the requirements especially of a task;

she had adequate trainingher training was adequateshe was adequate to the job

Accurateadjective

(of ideas, images, representations, expressions) characterized by perfect conformity to fact or truth ; strictly correct;

a precise imagea precise measurement

Adequateadjective

enough to meet a purpose;

an adequate incomethe food was adequatea decent wageenough foodfood enough

Adequateadjective

about average; acceptable;

more than adequate as a secretary