different between unfit vs inadequate

English

Etymology

From un- +? fit.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /?n?f?t/
• Rhymes: -?t

Adjective

unfit (comparative unfitter or more unfit, superlative unfittest or most unfit)

1. Not fit; not having the correct requirements.

   Synonym: unsuitable

   Antonyms: fit, suitable

2. Not fit, not having a good physical demeanor.

   Synonym: out of shape

   Antonyms: fit, in shape

Derived terms

• unfitly
• unfitness

Translations

Verb

unfit (third-person singular simple present unfits, present participle unfitting, simple past and past participle unfitted)

1. To make unfit; to render unsuitable, spoil, disqualify.
   • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick:

     He [...] added that he was fearful Christianity, or rather Christians, had unfitted him for ascending the pure and undefiled throne of thirty pagan Kings before him.

   • 1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.30:

     These preoccupations unfitted the soldiers for the defence of the frontier, and permitted vigorous incursions of Germans form the north and Persians from the east.

English

Alternative forms

• inadæquate (archaic)

Etymology

in- +? adequate

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?æd?kw?t/
• Hyphenation: in?ad?e?quate

Adjective

inadequate (comparative more inadequate, superlative most inadequate)

1. Not adequate; not fit for the purpose

   Synonyms: insufficient, deficient; see also Thesaurus:inadequate

   • 2013 June 18, Simon Romero, "Protests Widen as Brazilians Chide Leaders," New York Times (retrieved 21 June 2013):

     In a convulsion that has caught many in Brazil and beyond by surprise, waves of protesters denounced their leaders for dedicating so many resources to cultivating Brazil’s global image by building stadiums for international events, when basic services like education and health care remain woefully inadequate.

Translations

Noun

inadequate (plural inadequates)

1. An individual who is inadequate.
   • 2012, Norman T. Feather, The Psychological Impact of Unemployment

     Thus, at some critical level of unemployment, “the unemployed” becomes a negative reference group of inadequates, the hardcore unemployed […]