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.
Related Words
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
- adjustable adjective
- adjustably adverb
- adjuster noun
- misadjust verb
- overadjust verb
- preadjust verb (used with object)
- self-adjusting adjective
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” ( just 1 ), influenced in sense by ajoster, ajouter “to add,” from Late Latin adjuxtāre ( ad-, joust )
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.
The commander had initially found it difficult to take pictures of our planet from the spacecraft, saying taking photos at such a distance made it hard to adjust exposure settings.
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
“Pricing across consumer products tends to adjust with a lag, reflecting hedging practices and inventory cycles,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy with Saxo Bank, in a note published this week.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
The team hopes to automate this process by adding computer vision and AI systems that can analyze surroundings and adjust the material in real time.
From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026
They can adjust taxes, change benefits, restructure obligations, and crucially, borrow over long time horizons.
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
“However, you have our most basic unit. Would you like us to upgrade her software, or adjust her settings, or polish out these scratches?”
From "The Wild Robot Escapes" by Peter Brown
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.
