adjust
Americanverb (used with object)
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to change (something) so that it fits, corresponds, or conforms; adapt; accommodate.
to adjust expenses to income.
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to put in good working order; regulate; bring to a proper state or position.
to adjust an instrument.
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to settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result.
to adjust our differences.
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Insurance. to determine the amount to be paid in settlement of (a claim).
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to systematize.
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Military. to correct the elevation or deflection of (a gun).
verb (used without object)
verb
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(tr) to alter slightly, esp to achieve accuracy; regulate
to adjust the television
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to adapt, as to a new environment, etc
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(tr) to put into order
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(tr) insurance to determine the amount payable in settlement of (a claim)
Usage
What does adjust mean? To adjust is to change something so that it fits or adapts to something else or to its environment, as in Macky adjusted the menu so that it included more healthy dishes. To adjust is also to fix or put into a correct position or state, as in Adjust the radio dial, please, so that the station comes in clearly. To adjust also means to put into a satisfactory state, as in Laird adjusted the pitch of his voice to blend in better with the rest of the choir. Adjust can also be used as a synonym for adapt and can be used in reference to people, animals, or objects. For example, if you move to a new city, you may need time to adjust to your new home, learning what’s available and where everything is. Example: Adjust the speakers so that they are facing the audience.
Synonym Usage
Adjust, adapt, alter in their literal meanings imply making necessary or desirable changes (as in position, shape, or the like). To adjust is to move into proper position for use: to adjust the eyepiece of a telescope. To adapt is to make a change in character, to make something useful in a new way: to adapt a paper clip for a hairpin. To alter is to change the appearance but not the use: to alter the height of a table.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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self-adjustingadjective
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overadjustverb
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adjustablyadverb
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adjusternoun
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preadjustverb (used with object)
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misadjustverb
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adjustableadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have adjustedperfect
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has adjustedperfect 3rd person singular
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have been adjustingperfect progressive
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are adjustingprogressive
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adjustingparticiple
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adjustssingular 3rd person
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has been adjustingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am adjustingprogressive 1st person singular
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is adjustingprogressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had adjustedperfect
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adjustedparticiple
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was adjustingprogressive singular
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were adjustingprogressive plural
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had been adjustingperfect progressive
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adjustedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of adjust
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ajusten, from Anglo-French ajuster, Old French aj(o)uster “to make conform to,” verb derivative (with a- a- 5 ) of juste “right” ( see just 1), influenced in sense by ajoster, ajouter “to add,” from Late Latin adjuxtāre ( see ad-, joust)
Explanation
When you adjust to something, you change so that you can fit in, conform, or keep on going. Arriving at a new school almost always requires that you adjust a little. Once you adjust, you'll find you're as happy as you were in your old school. To adjust doesn't mean to transform in a major way. It implies small but important changes that make a big difference. If you adjust your speed by just ten miles per hour, you'll get more than fifty more miles per fill-up. You can adjust your hair to make it fancier, you can adjust your lifestyle to make it more sober, or you can adjust your attitude to make yourself less annoying. You used to have to adjust your TV antenna to get a better picture. Ask your mom.
Vocabulary lists containing adjust
List 7
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Frindle
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"A Place to Call Home," Vocabulary from the research study
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He added that the team had arrived late and had little time to adjust.
From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026
It can however adjust how it oversees small- to midsize banks tailoring without congressional approval, Tamayo says, “and we think this is increasingly likely.”
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
“Let’s go get David Beckham,” commissioner Don Garber said, “and adjust our rules.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026
"This makes the system automatically adjust its electrical behavior."
From Science Daily • Jun. 11, 2026
I adjust my wristband, fix my helmet, and tug on the bottom of my jersey.
From "A High Five for Glenn Burke" by Phil Bildner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
