adjust

play

verb ad·just \ ə-ˈjəst \

Definition of adjust

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

play \-ˌjəs-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

—

adjustable

play \-ˈjəs-tə-bəl\ adjective

—

adjustive

play \-ˈjəs-tiv\ adjective

See adjust defined for English-language learners

See adjust defined for kids

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 of adjust from the Web

Yellen said the Fed is prepared to adjust the regulations as needed to help financial institutions.

— time, Time, "Fed Chair Janet Yellen Rejects Trump Effort to Scrap Dodd-Frank," 25 Aug. 2017
LRASM can adjust its flight path to avoid enemy air defenses before descending on a fleet of enemy ships.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The B-1 Bomber Has a New Mission," 22 Aug. 2017
That's because Congress itself has twice adjusted the monument's boundaries to exclude small towns and exchange state lands with Utah, as well as paid the state $50 million in the process (Greenwire, May 2).

— jennifer yachnin, Science | AAAS, "Trump team nears decision on national monuments," 18 Aug. 2017
Here were my guys — so at ease, so thoughtful and, most important, so well-adjusted.

— Redbook, "Why "Stepmother" Shouldn't Be a Dirty Word," 16 Aug. 2017
New Cougars catcher David Sopilka is adjusting to a new organization after signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks in July, following seven professional seasons in the Boston Red Sox chain.

— paul johnson, Naperville Sun, "Ex-Boston Red Sox farmhand David Sopilka seeks second chance with Cougars," 12 Aug. 2017
In committing to Rogue One, Rise of the Empire necessarily must adjust its timeline, meaning that the Empire doesn’t begin with a fully operational Death Star anymore.

— charlie theel, Ars Technica, "Rise of the Empire," 12 Aug. 2017
Adjusted earnings per share of 79 cents beat analysts estimates of 73 cents and sent the stock up 3% in premarket trading on Wednesday. Overcrowding avoided.

— adam lashinsky, Fortune, "Data Sheet—Wednesday, July 26, 2017," 26 July 2017
According to a 2016 feature in the Washington newspaper The Columbian, the White Salmon River community is adjusting to life without the hydroelectric dam.

— National Geographic, "Videos Reveal the Power of Dams—and Dam Removal," 26 July 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of adjust

Middle English ajusten, from Old French ajuster to make conform, from a- (from Latin ad-) + juste right, exact — more at just

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

adjust Synonyms

Synonyms

acclimate, acclimatize, accommodate, adapt, condition, conform, doctor, edit, fashion, fit, put, shape, suit, tailor

Near Antonyms

misadjust

Synonym Discussion of 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

ADJUST Defined for English Language Learners

adjust

play

verb

Definition of adjust for English Language Learners

: 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

ADJUST Defined for Kids

adjust

play

verb ad·just \ ə-ˈjəst \

Definition of adjust for Students

adjusted; adjusting

1 :to change (something) in a minor way to make it work better

2 :to change the position of (something)

He adjusted his glasses.

3 :to become used to

He adjusted to a new school.

Medical Dictionary

adjust

play

transitive verb ad·just \ ə-ˈjəst \

medical Definition of adjust

: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

play \-ˌjəs-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē\ noun plural adjusties

—

adjustable

play \-ˈjəs-tə-bəl\ adjective

—

adjustive

play \-ˈjəs-tiv\ adjective

Law Dictionary

adjust

transitive verb ad·just

legal Definition of adjust

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

Learn More about adjust

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for adjust Spanish Central: Translation of adjust Nglish: Translation of adjust for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of adjust for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up adjust? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

adjust

Definition of adjust

adjustability

adjustable

adjustive

From the M-W Editors

Examples of adjust in a Sentence

Recent Examples of adjust from the Web

Origin and Etymology of adjust

adjust Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of adjust

ADJUST Defined for English Language Learners

adjust

Definition of adjust for English Language Learners

ADJUST Defined for Kids

adjust

Definition of adjust for Students

Medical Dictionary

adjust

medical Definition of adjust

adjustability

adjustable

adjustive

Law Dictionary

adjust

legal Definition of adjust

Learn More about adjust

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066