# adjustment

Pronunciation: say "uh-JUST-muhnt" US/UK /əˈd͡ʒʌst.mənt/, AUS /əˈd͡ʒɐst.mənt/

## Noun

1. A minor change, correction, or modification made to something; the result of adjusting it.
   - Simple: A small change made to fix or improve something.
   - _A minor adjustment to the recipe improved the flavor considerably._
   - _The mechanic's careful adjustment quieted the engine noise._
2. The act of changing or correcting something so that it fits, works, or performs better.
   - Simple: The act of changing something a little so it fits or works better.
   - _The adjustment of the telescope's focus revealed the distant galaxy._
   - _Frequent adjustment of the controls kept the machine running smoothly._
3. In psychology, the way a person behaves to reconcile competing needs, or to meet needs despite obstacles in their surroundings.
   - Simple: The way a person learns to cope with needs that pull in different directions.
   - _His adjustment to civilian life after the war was slow but steady._
   - _Healthy adjustment means meeting your own needs without ignoring the demands of others._
4. An insurance company's assessment of a claim, and the settlement reached from that assessment.
   - Simple: The work of checking an insurance claim and deciding how much to pay.
   - _The adjustment of the flood claim required two site visits by the assessor._
   - _Disputes over the adjustment delayed payment for several months._
5. The process of settling or balancing the figures in a financial account.
   - Simple: The act of settling or balancing a money account.
   - _The accountant's adjustment of the ledger corrected last quarter's error._
   - _Final adjustment of the account showed a small surplus._

## Origin

From French ajustement, or else formed from adjust plus the suffix -ment.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/adjustment (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).