adjust

verb

Sayuh-JUSTUS · UK/əˈd͡ʒʌst/AUS/əˈd͡ʒɐst/

4 meanings of adjust

1
verbtransitive
To modify something by making changes to its setting, position, or state.
Engineers adjust the machine's settings to get cleaner output.
He adjusted the thermostat to keep the room a little warmer.
Similaralter, modify, change, tweak, set
2
verbintransitive
To change oneself in order to fit new circumstances or conditions.
Immigrants often need time to adjust to life in a new country.
The team adjusted well after losing their captain mid-season.
Similaradapt, acclimatize
3
verbtransitive
To correct or improve something, putting it right.
The accountant adjusted the figures to fix the discrepancy.
Editors adjust manuscripts to remove inconsistencies before printing.
Similarcorrect, amend, fix, rectify, revise
4
verbtransitive
To settle an insurance claim by determining the amount the insurer should pay.
The firm hired a specialist to adjust large commercial claims.
She adjusted the homeowner's claim after inspecting the storm damage.
Similarsettle, assess

Practice

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Origin

This word came into Middle English as ajusten, borrowed from Middle French adjuster (or Old French), from Latin ad ("to, towards") plus iustus ("correct, proper, exact"). Its sense was probably influenced by Old French ajouster ("to add"), from Vulgar Latin *adiuxtāre. The Middle English form originally meant "to correct, remedy" in the late 14th century and was reborrowed from Middle French in the early 17th century; by another view it derives from Old French ajouster and was later influenced by folk etymology from Latin iustus, making it a doublet of adjute.