adjust

verb

ad·​just ə-ˈjəst How to pronounce adjust (audio)
adjusted; adjusting; adjusts

transitive verb

1
a
: to bring to a more satisfactory state:
(1)
: settle, resolve
ways of adjusting conflicts
(2)
: rectify
adjust an error
b
: to make correspondent or conformable : adapt
had to adjust our approach
c
: to bring the parts of to a true or more effective relative position
adjust a carburetor
2
: to reduce to a system : regulate
3
: to determine the amount to be paid under an insurance policy in settlement of (a loss)

intransitive verb

1
: to adapt or conform oneself (as to new conditions)
adjust to the new regulations
Our eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness.
2
: to achieve mental and behavioral balance between one's own needs and the demands of others
adjustability noun
adjustable adjective
adjustive adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for adjust

adapt, adjust, accommodate, conform, reconcile mean to bring one thing into correspondence with another.

adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances.

adapted themselves to the warmer climate

adjust suggests bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony such as exists between parts of a mechanism.

adjusted the budget to allow for inflation

accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence.

businesses accommodating themselves to the new political reality

conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle.

refused to conform to society's values

reconcile implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible.

tried to reconcile what he said with what I knew

Examples of adjust in a Sentence

The car is easier to drive since the clutch was adjusted. I adjusted the volume on the radio. She adjusted the car seat so she could reach the pedals. Going to a new school can be difficult, but the kids will eventually adjust. It's hard to adjust myself to the idea that she's gone. He makes less money now, when you adjust for inflation, than he did 10 years ago.
Recent Examples on the Web And yet, just after 1 p.m. Saturday at Papago Park’s Field 2, Cobb emerged from the third-base dugout, adjusted his cap and took the mound. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 The Slovenian native was among four freshmen who arrived from Europe to great fanfare only to make modest contributions while struggling to adjust to the college game. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 For Gerber, much of Tesla’s stock slide could reverse if Musk adjusted his behavior. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Doctors implant the electrodes close to the subthalamic nucleus and then adjust the settings through a pulse generator that is implanted under the skin of the chest. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 Pumba is looking for a patient home that will give him time to adjust and show his loving, playful personality. The Arizona Republic, 15 Mar. 2024 The Big West adjusted the format for the tournament this season, inviting two fewer teams and awarding double byes into the semifinals for the top two seeds. Dan Arritt, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2024 After most of the U.S. adopted the Uniform Time Act, the state figured that there wasn't a good reason to adjust clocks to make sunset occur an hour later during the hottest months of the year. USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 Workers had adjusted to their new work environment, so moving back to headquarters didn’t sound all that appealing. Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adjust.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French ajuster (earlier and Middle French also spelled adjuster), going back to Old French ajouster "to make comply with," from a- (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -jouster, verbal derivative of juste "right, exact" — more at just entry 1

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of adjust was in 1611

Dictionary Entries Near adjust

Cite this Entry

“Adjust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adjust. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

adjust

verb
ad·​just ə-ˈjəst How to pronounce adjust (audio)
1
: to bring to a better state : set right
adjust conflicts
adjust the error
2
: to move the parts of an instrument or a piece of machinery until they fit together in the best working order
adjust a watch
adjust the brakes on a car
3
: to determine the amount of an insurance claim
4
: to adapt oneself to conditions
had trouble adjusting to the new job
adjustable adjective
adjuster noun
also adjustor
-ˈjəs-tər

Medical Definition

adjust

transitive verb
ad·​just ə-ˈjəst How to pronounce adjust (audio)
: to bring about orientation or adaptation of (oneself)

intransitive verb

1
: to adapt oneself (as to climate, food, or new working hours)
2
: to achieve mental and behavioral balance between one's own needs and the demands of others
adjustability noun
plural adjustabilities
adjustable adjective
adjustive adjective

Legal Definition

adjust

transitive verb
ad·​just
1
a
: to determine the amount to be paid under an insurance policy in settlement of (a loss)
b
: to make new arrangements with creditors for the payment of (the debts of a debtor in bankruptcy)
2
: to calculate in accordance with a system
adjusting the basis

More from Merriam-Webster on adjust

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