Meaning & use
adjust
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To change something slightly so it works better, fits correctly, or suits a new purpose.
Grammar: Takes an object: adjust the mirror; it can also be followed by to before a standard or purpose.
Patterns
- adjust something
- adjust something to something
- adjust something for someone
She adjusted the mirror before starting the car.
We adjusted the recipe to use less sugar.
The teacher adjusted the activity for younger students.
verbintransitive
To become used to a new situation, place, routine, or condition.
Grammar: Usually followed by to: adjust to college, not adjust college in this sense.
Patterns
- adjust to something
- adjust to doing something
- adjust quickly
The puppy is adjusting to its new home.
It took months to adjust to working night shifts.
Children often adjust faster than adults expect.
Word forms
| third person singular | adjusts |
|---|---|
| past tense | adjusted |
| past participle | adjusted |
| -ing form | adjusting |
Common combinations
- adjust the settings
- Adjust the settings so the screen is easier to read.
- adjust to change
- Small companies must adjust to change quickly.
- adjust for inflation
- The report adjusts prices for inflation over ten years.
- fine-tune and adjust
- The engineer fine-tuned and adjusted the motor every morning.
Synonyms and how they differ
- adapt
- Adapt can mean deep changes over time or across generations; adjust often means smaller, quicker changes.
- modify
- Modify changes the form or features of something, while adjust usually aims at better fit or function.
- alter
- Alter is neutral and broader; adjust suggests careful small correction.
- acclimatize
- Acclimatize is intransitive and means getting used to climate or conditions, closer to adjust to a place.
Opposites
Word family
- adjustment noun
- A small change or the process of changing.
- adjustable adjective
- Able to be changed to fit different needs.
- adjusted adjective
- Changed to fit conditions, or settled into a situation.
Commonly confused: adjust or adopt? adjust or adept?
adjust vs adopt
Adopt means take something as your own; adjust means change or get used to it.
adjust vs adept
Adept is an adjective meaning skilled; it looks similar but has a different vowel and meaning.
Practice
After moving abroad, it took Lena time to ___ the local schedule.
Choose one answer.
Adjust to means get used to a new situation; adjust the would need a direct object such as schedule, and adopt as does not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “adjust”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.