Synonyms

adjust

American

[uh-juhst] / əˈdʒʌst /

verb (used with object)

to change (something) so that it fits, corresponds, or conforms; adapt; accommodate.

to adjust expenses to income.
to put in good working order; regulate; bring to a proper state or position.

to adjust an instrument.

Synonyms:

fix, repair, set
to settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result.

to adjust our differences.

Synonyms:

reconcile, rectify, arrange
Insurance. to determine the amount to be paid in settlement of (a claim).
to systematize.
Military. to correct the elevation or deflection of (a gun).

verb (used without object)

to adapt oneself; become adapted.

They had no problems in adjusting at the new school.

adjust British

/ əˈdʒʌst /

verb

(tr) to alter slightly, esp to achieve accuracy; regulate

to adjust the television
to adapt, as to a new environment, etc
(tr) to put into order
(tr) insurance to determine the amount payable in settlement of (a claim)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

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.

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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.

See Examples For:

adjust adjusts adjusted adjusting

“The beauty of that is that a student almost has a one-on-one tutor,” McMahon said, explaining that AI programs can adjust instruction based on how quickly individual students are learning.

From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026

St. John Bosco struggled to adjust covering Bishop Gorman running backs going out for passes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026

New Keynesians like Mankiw adapted the Keynesian model to include this expectations phenomenon, while maintaining that prices and wages in the real world adjust slowly.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

You can adjust those numbers as you need or get specific numbers for your case from an insurance agent or financial adviser who sells insurance products.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

When I open my eyes, I adjust my paper so it’s perfectly straight on the desk.

From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell

All eyes have been on Justin Herbert this offseason as he adjusts to Mike McDaniel’s new-look offense.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

Mr. Johnson adjusts the denominator by removing the third-trimester women.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

In 2026 there have been multiple hits to production worldwide and to accommodate for this, Price adjusts his global mine supply forecast by 3.5% every year.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

As the surrounding environment adjusts, these impurities still undergo slight movements.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 9, 2026

The frame shakes as he adjusts the lens, and after it steadies he walks backward, still peering my way.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio

Roberts noted that Ohtani is rested and has adjusted his pitching mechanics.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026

The researchers adjusted their analysis for factors including age, sex and education.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026

But in a Midwestern city like St. Louis, prices over that time period have only gone up about 6% when adjusted for inflation.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 22, 2026

JD Sports cut its fiscal 2027 guidance for adjusted pretax profit—the company’s preferred metric, which strips out exceptional and other one-off items—due to underlying sales trends and a promotional backdrop in the sector.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 20, 2026

The robot adjusted her camouflage to match her surroundings.

From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown

Last month, Canada's central bank said the economy was "showing signs of improving," noting that some businesses were adjusting to US protectionism, including by finding new customers abroad.

From Barron's ● Aug. 22, 2026

Looking ahead: “There are few signs that consumer spending is wavering,” said chief economist Richard Moody of Regions Financial, “even adjusting for the effects of higher prices.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

"It was quite hard work, adjusting to life on the farm, we also had the worst winter that year when we moved back, I don't think it stopped raining for about four months," Joe said.

From BBC ● Aug. 8, 2026

By precisely adjusting the size, shape, and spacing of those structures, the researchers gained control over how the material responds to light.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 2026

Memory returned, and I lay back with a sigh, adjusting to the reality of my surroundings.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023