adjustable

American  

[uh-juhs-tuh-buhl] / əˈdʒʌs tə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being adjusted.

   adjustable seat belts.

2. (of loans, mortgages, etc.) having a flexible rate, as one based on money market interest rates or on the rate of inflation or cost of living.

3. (especially of life insurance) having flexible premiums and coverage, based on the insuree's current needs and ability to pay.

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noun

1. any rate, expense, income, etc., that varies unpredictably.

   Luckily, his chief income is not made up of adjustables. Allow some money in your budget for the adjustables.

Other Word Forms

• nonadjustable
  adjective
• preadjustable
  adjective
• unadjustable
  adjective
• adjustably
  adverb
• nonadjustably
  adverb
• unadjustably
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of adjustable

First recorded in 1765–75; adjust + -able

Explanation

Something that's adjustable can be changed or altered so that it works or fits better. A car's adjustable seat can accommodate both very tall and very short drivers. Most belts are adjustable — you can make them larger or smaller depending on the size of your waist. Seat belts and ball caps are also adjustable, so that they conform to different bodies and heads. When a loan or mortgage from a bank is described as adjustable, it means that the interest rate changes periodically. The verb adjust came first, from the Old French ajouter, "to join," based on the Late Latin adiuxtare, "to bring near."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

adjustable

It said if the government would allow the combining of information about customers' income, health and energy consumption, a discount scheme could offer targeted and adjustable support, and respond to changing needs and price levels.

From BBC ● Aug. 22, 2026

These functions include signal synchronization, adjustable delay lines, optical buffers, and frequency conversion.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

Customers have bristled at the higher upfront cost and have mentioned in online reviews that they wish the tiles had perforations for more adjustable dosing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

Drawstrings along the shorts allow for adjustable length, a high turtleneck can be zipped up or pulled down for breathability, and reflective elements make the piece visible at night.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2026

I don’t want to cry on the train, so I close my eyes and visualize playing basketball against Erin, and we’re little kids again in my backyard, silently shooting on the old adjustable rim.

From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick

Related Words

• flexible