adjust
verb (transitive)
UKəˈdʒʌstUSəˈdʒʌst
to change something slightly in order to improve it or make it more suitable; to become used to new conditions or a new situation
Example Sentences
He had to adjust the chair to find the most comfortable position.
You may need to adjust your schedule to fit all the new appointments in.
The camera’s settings can be adjusted for varying light conditions, ensuring clear and crisp photographs.
She found it challenging to adjust to the new city at first, but soon she grew to love its vibrant culture.
When installing a new application, you might have to adjust some system permissions so it can run properly.
After hearing feedback from beta testers, the development team decided to adjust certain features to improve user experience.
It took the company several weeks to adjust its supply chain in response to sudden changes in consumer demand, showcasing the importance of flexibility and efficient logistics in maintaining a competitive edge.
Although it can be difficult to adjust to major life changes like moving to another country or changing careers, cultivating resilience, seeking support, and maintaining an open mind can help ease the transition and promote personal growth.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To slightly modify, adapt, or fine-tune something for better alignment or performance.The verb “adjust” focuses on making small or incremental changes to something—be it a physical object, a routine, or even an expectation—so it better fits a new context or improved outcome. When you adjust the seat in your car, for example, you move it a little forward or back to reach the pedals comfortably. At work, you might adjust a project timeline after discussing updated requirements with a client.“Adjust” stands apart from other change-related verbs like “transform” or “adapt” in that it usually signals minor modifications rather than sweeping overhauls. Still, those small tweaks can be crucial, ensuring comfort, efficiency, or correctness. In everyday life, you might adjust your budget when you notice rising costs or adjust your posture during a meeting for comfort. In business or technical contexts, you might adjust parameters—like machine settings or workflow steps—to match the latest data. No matter the scenario, “adjust” implies a delicate, deliberate action, allowing for a subtle shift toward a more suitable configuration or approach.
Alternatives
Several synonyms can replace “adjust” depending on the context and scale of the change. If you want to stress minor tweaks, words like “tweak,” “fine-tune,” or “modify” may suffice. “Tweak” and “fine-tune” point to small, precise changes, while “modify” can handle slightly bigger alterations without implying a complete overhaul.For everyday, less formal speech, you might say “fix up” or “touch up” if the focus is on improvements—like adjusting a painting’s details or updating a piece of writing. “Revise” emphasizes changes to documents, plans, or text. When addressing physical objects like clothing, you might use “alter,” though that can also refer to more significant changes, such as resizing pants. Meanwhile, “adapt” could work if you need to ensure something fits a new set of conditions, but “adapt” often implies broader modifications. Each alternative captures the central idea of making adjustments, but your choice of synonym can convey how big or small, casual or technical the shift is intended to be.
Writing
When writing about “adjust,” give your audience enough context to understand what’s being changed and why. For instance, in a how-to guide, saying “adjust the thermostat by a few degrees for optimal efficiency” directs users to make incremental modifications. In a technical or scientific document, you might specify how to adjust certain parameters—like voltage levels or calibration settings—so they align with established standards or yield accurate results.In more creative writing, “adjust” can hint at the protagonist’s internal shift or slight change in attitude. Perhaps a character “adjusts her expectations” after a setback, illustrating subtle growth in her mindset. If you’re crafting instructional steps, detail the process and purpose behind each adjustment—like explaining how turning a knob or shifting a dial by a specific increment leads to a more precise outcome. Clarity ensures readers grasp both the action and its benefit. By highlighting the targeted nature of the change, “adjust” underscores a careful, often minimal intervention that can result in a smoother, more tailored setup or narrative arc.
Casual Conversation
In casual conversation, “adjust” usually signifies a small fix or accommodation. You might say, “Let me adjust my schedule,” implying you’ll shift a meeting time or free a slot to fit someone in. If you’re rearranging furniture for a party, you might comment, “I’ll just adjust this sofa so there’s more space.” This shows slight repositioning without a total rearrangement.Friends also use “adjust” when discussing personal habits: “I need to adjust my sleep schedule” or “I’m adjusting to my new job.” It conveys that you’re making a minor but important shift in your routines or mindset. While the word is straightforward and often pragmatic, it can also be reassuring; letting someone know you’ll “adjust plans” shows flexibility and willingness to accommodate unexpected changes. From tinkering with settings on a TV remote to refining an exercise routine, “adjust” in everyday chats keeps things practical and calm, suggesting small steps toward improvement.
Etymology
“Adjust” stems from the Middle French “ajuster,” which itself evolved from the Late Latin “adjuxtare,” meaning “to bring something close or into alignment.” The prefix “ad-” (“to” or “toward”) pairs with “juxta” (“next to”), reflecting the notion of making things line up properly. By the time the term reached Middle English, it captured the essence of fine-tuning or fitting objects—and later, ideas—so they match desired conditions.Over time, as people increasingly needed to fine-tune mechanisms, documents, or personal situations, “adjust” became the standard term for these incremental, targeted changes. The concept remains the same: aligning, repositioning, or refining elements so they better fulfill their purpose. Whether calibrating a device, adapting to new environments, or editing a paper, “adjust” points to small but meaningful modifications that bring improved harmony or precision.
