adjust
adjust
Pronunciation
IPA Phonetic Spelling for "adjust":
/əˈdʒʌst/
Syllable Breakdown:
First Syllable (/ə/):
/ə/ - schwa (a mid-central vowel sound, like the 'a' in 'about')
Second Syllable (/dʒʌst/):
/dʒ/ - voiced postalveolar affricate (like the 'j' in 'jump')
/ʌ/ - close-mid back unrounded vowel (like the 'u' in 'cut')
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative (like the 's' in 'sit')
/t/ - voiceless alveolar stop (like the 't' in 'top')
Word Form Variations
Verb:
adjust (base form)
adjusts (third person singular present)
adjusted (past tense, past participle)
adjusting (present participle, gerund)
Noun:
adjustment (singular)
adjustments (plural)
Adjective:
adjustable (capable of being adjusted)
Adverb:
adjustably (in an adjustable manner)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
1. To make a small change to something so that it fits, works, or is more suitable for a new situation or purpose.
Example: "Please adjust your seatbelt for safety."
Synonyms: alter, modify, adapt, fine-tune, regulate, set, tweak
Antonyms: leave alone, fix (in place), disarrange, disrupt
2. To become accustomed or adapted to a new situation, environment, or set of circumstances.
Example: "It took him a while to adjust to the new time zone."
Synonyms: acclimate, adapt, conform, habituate, settle in, get used to
Antonyms: resist, struggle, remain unchanged, disorient
3. To determine and settle the amount of a claim, especially an insurance claim.
Example: "The insurance company will adjust the claim after reviewing the damages."
Synonyms: settle, reconcile, arbitrate, resolve
Antonyms: dispute, deny, reject, prolong
Noun
1. (Usually "adjustment") The act or process of adjusting something, or the state of being adjusted.
Example: "The technician made a minor adjustment to the engine."
Synonyms: modification, alteration, change, correction, regulation, setting
Antonyms: stagnation, rigidity, persistence, fixedness
2. (Usually "adjustment") A small change or rearrangement that is made to improve something or make it more suitable.
Example: "She made a few adjustments to her presentation based on the feedback."
Synonyms: refinement, adaptation, revision, tweak, calibration
Antonyms: deterioration, damage, disruption, error
3. (Usually "adjustment") The process of adapting or becoming accustomed to a new situation or environment.
Example: "His adjustment to college life was surprisingly smooth."
Synonyms: acclimatization, adaptation, settling in, habituation, assimilation
Antonyms: maladjustment, discomfort, resistance, displacement
Adjective
1. (Adjustable) Capable of being adjusted.
Example: "This desk has an adjustable height feature."
Synonyms: modifiable, adaptable, variable, flexible, alterable
Antonyms: fixed, rigid, unchangeable, permanent, immovable
Examples of Use
Books:
"He had to adjust his expectations significantly after realizing the project's true complexity." (From The Innovation Dilemma by Dr. Emily Carter, published September 2023)
"The character found it difficult to adjust to life outside the secluded village, as the modern world proved overwhelming." (From Echoes of the Forgotten, a novel by Sarah J. Maas, published April 2024)
Newspapers:
"The Federal Reserve may adjust interest rates next month in response to recent inflation data." (From The Wall Street Journal)
"Local businesses are working to adjust their operating hours to accommodate the new public transportation schedule." (The Daily Herald)
Online Publications:
"Many remote workers are finding it necessary to adjust their routines to maintain a healthy work-life balance." (Forbes.com)
"Google announced an algorithm adjustment that will impact search rankings for millions of websites." (TechCrunch.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "The director had to adjust the lighting in several scenes to achieve the desired mood." (Behind-the-scenes documentary for Dune: Part Three, released December 2026)
Television Series: "In the latest episode, the protagonist attempts to adjust to her new identity after entering witness protection." (From an episode of The Disguise, aired on HBO Max, March 2025)
Video Game: "Players must constantly adjust their strategy to counter the evolving tactics of enemy AI." (From a review of Cybernetic Warfare 2.0 on IGN.com, November 2024)
Podcast: "On this week's episode, we discuss how companies can adjust their marketing strategies for Gen Z audiences." (From "Marketing Insights" podcast, October 2024)
Music: (Lyric) "Gotta adjust my vision, see the world anew." (From the song "New Horizon" by The Lumineers, released August 2024)
General Public Discourse:
"I need to adjust my sleep schedule before my early morning flight." (Casual conversation)
"Can you help me adjust this chair? It's a bit too low." (Everyday request)
"The city council is considering a plan to adjust the zoning laws in the downtown area." (Community meeting discussion)
"Students often need time to adjust to the demands of university-level coursework." (Educational setting conversation)
10 Quotes Using Adjust
"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." (Jimmy Dean)
"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails." (William Arthur Ward)
"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." (Confucius)
"We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles." (Jimmy Carter)
"Life at any time can become difficult: life at any time can become easy. It all depends upon how one adjusts oneself to life." (Morarji Desai)
"There are things I can't force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint." (Denis Diderot)
"Moral codes adjust themselves to environmental conditions." (Will Durant)
"Insanity - a perfectly rational adjustment to an insane world." (R.D. Laing)
"Happiness comes from... some curious adjustment to life." (Hugh Walpole)
"Test fast, fail fast, adjust fast." (Tom Peters)
Etymology
The word "adjust" has a history that goes back to Latin, through Old French, and then into English.
It comes from the Latin words "ad-" meaning "to" or "towards," and "iustus," which means "correct," "proper," or "exact." So, at its root, "adjust" literally meant something like "to make correct" or "to set right."
The word entered English in the late 14th century (around 1350-1400) from Old French, where it appeared as "ajuster" or "ajouster." At first, its meaning in English was closer to "to correct" or "to remedy" something.
However, around the early 1600s, the word was borrowed again from French, specifically from "adjuster," which had the sense of "fitting things together properly" or "putting things in order." This influenced the meaning we commonly use today, which is about making changes to something to make it suitable, or to get something to fit or work better.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Adjust
Adjust to life: To become accustomed to new circumstances or a new environment.
Adjust one's thinking: To change one's perspective or way of understanding something.
Adjust the sails: (Idiomatic, from sailing) To adapt one's plans or actions to changing conditions.
Adjust for inflation: To account for the decrease in purchasing power of money over time.
Adjust the focus: To sharpen the clarity of an image or concept.
Adjust to the new normal: To adapt to a significantly changed state of affairs.
Adjust one's attitude: To change one's disposition or outlook.
Make an adjustment: To implement a small change or correction.
Fine-tune the settings: (Using a synonym) To make precise adjustments to optimize performance.
Tweak the numbers: (Using a synonym) To make small changes to figures or data.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of adjust from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
