adjust

verb

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

4 meanings of adjust

1
verbtransitive
To make small changes to something to set it the way you want.
Like turning a knob a bit at a time until something feels just right.
You can adjust the volume with this little button.
She adjusted the car seat before driving off.
Similaralter, modify, change, tweak, set
2
verbintransitive
To change the way you act so you fit a new situation.
Like your eyes getting used to the dark after the lights go out.
It took her a few weeks to adjust to the new school.
New workers usually adjust quickly to the daily routine.
Similaradapt, acclimatize
3
verbtransitive
To fix something or make it better than it was.
Like straightening a crooked picture so it hangs the right way.
The mechanic adjusted the brakes so they worked properly again.
You should adjust the report to correct the mistakes.
Similarcorrect, amend, fix, rectify, revise
4
verbtransitive
To work out how much money an insurance company should pay on a claim.
Like a referee deciding how much a damaged item is really worth.
The company sent someone to adjust the claim after the flood.
They adjusted the claim within a week of the accident.
Similarsettle, assess

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin words meaning "to" and "correct or proper," reaching English through Old and Middle French. It may also have been shaped by an Old French word meaning "to add."