adéquats

Adéquats is the masculine plural form of the French adjective adéquat, meaning suitable, appropriate, or adequate. It describes things that meet a requirement or are fit for a given purpose. The term is widely used across formal and informal registers, including academic writing, technical discourse, and everyday language. In context, one can speak of adequate data, adequate methods, or adequate conditions.

Etymology and forms: Adéquat comes from Latin adequatus, formed from ad- “toward” and aequatus “made even or level,” through Old French into modern French. The feminine singular is adéquate, the feminine plural is adéquates, and the masculine plural is adéquats. The word carries a sense of suitability beyond mere sufficiency, implying a proper match to a task or standard. Proper accents are essential: aé becomes adéquat in standard spelling.

Grammatical usage and examples: Adéquats typically modifies masculine plural nouns and appears before or after the noun, depending on emphasis. Examples include: des résultats adéquats (adequate results), des paramètres adéquats (adequate parameters), or des échantillons adéquats (adequate samples). In modern French, related terms include adéquation (the noun for suitability or appropriateness) and adroit synonyms such as approprié, convenable, or satisfaisant, each with nuances in tone and context.

Context and notes: In scientific and technical writing, adéquats is common when assessing whether data, models, or procedures are fit for purpose. It is distinct from more emphatic terms like parfait or irréprochable. See also adéquation (the concept of fit or adequacy) and related adjectives for nuanced expression in different contexts.