1 adjust | Definition of adjust
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

adjust

verb
ad·​just | \ É™-ˈjÉ™st How to pronounce adjust (audio) \
adjusted; adjusting; adjusts

Definition of adjust

transitive verb

1a : 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
Other Words from adjust Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about adjust

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from adjust

adjustability \ -​ËŒjÉ™s-​tÉ™-​ˈbi-​lÉ™-​tÄ“ How to pronounce adjustability (audio) \ noun
adjustable \ -​ˈjÉ™s-​tÉ™-​bÉ™l How to pronounce adjustable (audio) \ adjective
adjustive \ -​ˈjÉ™s-​tiv How to pronounce adjustive (audio) \ 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. accommodated his political beliefs in order to win 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.
See More

Recent Examples on the Web

 The aquarium scientists use data collected by sensors on a buoy in the Keys to dictate the conditions in the spawning tanks, gradually adjusting the lights and the water to match what's going on in the wild, O'Neil said. — sun-sentinel.com, "Florida scientists coax imperiled Atlantic coral to spawn in a lab for the first time," 22 Aug. 2019 So, ask yourself if there are legitimate reasons why your requests are denied and then adjust. — Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, "What happens when an older employee can no longer perform effectively? Ask HR," 20 Aug. 2019 Google is introducing a low-light mode to Duo, its video chatting app, that can detect poor lighting conditions and automatically adjust the picture to illuminate the face in the frame. — Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, "Google Duo’s new low-light mode will make nighttime chats easier," 19 Aug. 2019 But adjusting severance tax rates and deductions is likely to face stiff resistance from the industry, and risks tripping limits set in the Colorado Taxpayer Bill of Rights. — Aldo Svaldi, The Denver Post, "Colorado severance tax collections expected to drop sharply, even though a bust is nowhere in sight," 18 Aug. 2019 Wright — who was paying $120 a month for internet, TV and a landline phone — tried adjusting his viewing to stay under the cap and avoid the $50 charge for unlimited data. — Gerry Smithbloomberg, Los Angeles Times, "Netflix’s biggest bingers get hit with higher internet costs," 13 Aug. 2019 The Advanced Gun System would also fire up to 10 rounds a minute, adjusting the trajectory of its shells so that several could land in the impact zone simultaneously. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Everything We Know About the USS Zumwalt Destroyers," 5 Aug. 2019 Taste and adjust with lemon, sugar and salt as needed. — CBS News, "The Dish: Chef Erling Wu-Bower shares his signature recipes," 27 July 2019 The light-up display also looks a little more natural and automatically adjusts its brightness. — Wired Staff, WIRED, "Our Favorite Kindle Is Only $60 for Prime Day," 16 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'adjust.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of adjust

1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for adjust

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

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for adjust

adjust

verb
How to pronounce adjust (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of adjust

: to change (something) in a minor way so that it works better
: to change the position of (something)
: to change in order to work or do better in a new situation

See the full definition for adjust in the English Language Learners Dictionary

adjust

verb
ad·​just | \ É™-ˈjÉ™st How to pronounce adjust (audio) \
adjusted; adjusting

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!