How to pronounce inadequate
Say it like in-AD-uh-kwut. Inadequate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inadequate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- AD
- uh
- kwut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inadequate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ADSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- kwutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of inadequate
American and British speakers say inadequate in essentially the same way: /ˌɪˈnædəkwət/ in the US and /ɪˈnædɪkwɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: ih-NAD-ih-kwit.
What does inadequate mean?
- lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task“inadequate training”“the staff was inadequate”
- of insufficient quantity to meet a need“an inadequate income”“a poor salary”
Where does inadequate come from?
From in- + adequate.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying inadequate
How do you pronounce inadequate?
Say in-AD-uh-kwut. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪˈnædəkwət/. In British English it is /ɪˈnædɪkwɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inadequate?
Inadequate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (AD). Broken into parts: in · AD · uh · kwut.
Do Americans and Brits say inadequate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪˈnædəkwət/ and the British form is /ɪˈnædɪkwɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.