adjust

[ uh-juhst ]

/ əˈdʒʌst /

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See synonyms for: adjust / adjusted / adjusting / adjusts on Thesaurus.com

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.

to settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result: to adjust our differences.

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR adjust

2 set; repair, fix.

3 arrange; rectify; reconcile.

See synonyms for adjust on Thesaurus.com

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SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

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Question 1 of 6

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should

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Origin of adjust

1350–1400; Middle English ajusten<Anglo-French ajuster,Old French aj(o)uster to make conform to, verbal derivative, with a-a-⁵, of juste right, just¹, influenced in sense by ajouter, ajoster to add <Late Latin adjuxtāre;see ad-, joust

synonym study for adjust

1. 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 WORDS FROM adjust

mis·ad·just, verbo·ver·ad·just, verbpre·ad·just, verb (used with object)self-ad·just·ing, adjective

Words nearby adjust

adjunction, adjunctive, adjunct professor, adjuration, adjure, adjust, adjustability, adjustable, adjustable-pitch, adjustable-rate mortgage, adjusted

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

MORE ABOUT ADJUST

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.

Where does adjust come from?

The first records of the term adjust come from the 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Old French ajouster, meaning “to make conform to.” When something adjusts, it conforms to a request, its surroundings, or certain requirements.

Adjust also has a couple specialized meanings. In chiropractic care, the chiropractor may adjust certain parts of your neck or spine in order to improve joint movement in that area. When an insurance company adjusts your claim, it determines the amount of money you will receive for the claim.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to adjust?

adjustable (adjective, noun)
adjustability (noun)
overadjust (verb)
adjusted (adjective, verb)
self-adjusting (adjective)

What are some synonyms for adjust?

What are some words that share a root or word element with adjust?

What are some words that often get used in discussing adjust?

How is adjust used in real life?

Adjust has several meanings related to fixing or changing.

Be you. They’ll adjust.

— Unkonfined (@unkonfined) July 28, 2020

An ex-Radio 2 host writes…
So thank you all for all the wonderful comments here. Quite moved by it all. I’ve done a daily national BBC show for 31 years solid so this might take a while to adjust to…anyway the new radio show will be announced in January. It will be startling.

— Simon Mayo 🇺🇦 (@simonmayo) December 22, 2018

Life forces us to start over all the time. You either panic or adjust. Choose wisely.

— Skye Townsend (@SkyeTownsend) November 10, 2019

Try using adjust!

Is adjust used correctly in the following sentence?

The schedule was adjusted with no changes.

How to use adjust in a sentence

A great workout tiktok will tell you how to adjust these numbers to match your fitness level, but simply having a concrete idea of what to do and how many times to do it will prevent you from overworking or injuring yourself.
Use TikTok to build the perfect workout|Sandra Gutierrez G.|September 17, 2020|Popular-Science
The Federal Reserve adjusted its inflation target to seek price increases above 2% annually, a move that will likely keep interest rates low for years to come.
Fed leaves short-term interest rates unchanged at nearly zero|Lee Clifford|September 16, 2020|Fortune
Best games of Aaron Rodgers’s NFL career according to FiveThirtyEight’s quarterback Elo ratings, relative to an average starterQB Elo ratings are based on passing and rushing performance, adjusted for the quality of opposing defense.
Aaron Rodgers Is Playing Like Aaron Rodgers Again|Neil Paine (neil.paine@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 16, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Some of those changes are likely to be relatively minor, like producers adjusting their production strategies.
How the future of TV and streaming has – and hasn’t – been reshaped so far by 2020|Tim Peterson|September 16, 2020|Digiday

Worst games of Carson Wentz’s NFL career according to FiveThirtyEight’s quarterback Elo ratings, relative to an average starterQB Elo ratings are based on passing and rushing performance, adjusted for the quality of opposing defense.
We Knew A Football Team Would Win In Week 1. But Maybe Not ‘Football Team.’|Sara Ziegler (sara.ziegler@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 14, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
After a hit, they would adjust the search to the most likely route from there.
Exclusive: Inside a Cop-Killer’s Final Hours|Michael Daly|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How the polling firms and the media adjust to new realities also seems to be a rather long arc.
The Gun Battle Since Newtown|Cliff Schecter|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Have a plan but be flexible and adjust to emerging realities.
Tony La Russa Explains How To Make It To The World Series|Dave Pottruck|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the best cases, they model and teach how to adjust and adapt appropriately.
Tony La Russa Explains How To Make It To The World Series|Dave Pottruck|October 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Attending a Mile High event is akin to being abruptly thrown into an ongoing play and having to adjust your behavior accordingly.
Join The Mile High (Dining) Club|Allison McNearney|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We must have motif first, then technique to adapt and adjust expression and to develop facility in the active agents.
Expressive Voice Culture|Jessie Eldridge Southwick
If the law attempted to adjust these cases, many more courts would be needed than now exist.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
She was endeavoring to adjust the bunch of violets which had become loose from its fastening in her hair.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
At any rate why could not women be kept out of it and let men adjust their quarrel with the stern arbitrament of sword and gun!
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Spitzhase had begun to feel very uncomfortable, for now the miner proceeded to adjust the glass helmet to his head.
Black Diamonds|Mr Jkai

British Dictionary definitions for adjust

adjust

/ (əˈdʒʌst) /

verb

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

Derived forms of adjust

adjustable, adjectiveadjustably, adverbadjuster, noun

Word Origin for adjust

C17: from Old French adjuster, from ad- to + juste right, just

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

Medical definitions for adjust

adjust

[ ə-jŭst′ ]

To bring into proper relationship.

To treat disorders of the spine by correcting slight dislocations between vertebrae using chiropractic techniques.

To achieve a psychological balance with regard to one's external environment, one's needs, and the demands of others.

adjust

OTHER WORDS FOR adjust

Origin of adjust

synonym study for adjust

OTHER WORDS FROM adjust

Words nearby adjust

MORE ABOUT ADJUST

What does adjust mean?

Where does adjust come from?

Did you know … ?

How is adjust used in real life?

Try using adjust!

Words related to adjust

How to use adjust in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for adjust

Derived forms of adjust

Word Origin for adjust

Medical definitions for adjust