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to adjust

to adjust

317 2.7
To change something so it is in the right position or works correctly
  • verb
  • /əˈdʒʌst/
translation icon : ajustar
  • We asked the customers to adjust their tip accordingly.
  • adjust accordingly
  • adjust the level
  • adjust the value

Hey, maybe I need to adjust the gaps again.

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Examples

  • Adjust your equipment accordingly.

  • And they take that and they adjust the rate to keep up with inflation.

  • You would take B just because you could adjust the size.

  • So it's very, very easy to adjust it to local languages.

  • So again, I'm going to adjust my exposure a little bit.

  • However, the fair trade minimum price is adjusted when coffee is purchased from farmers.

    Academic text (2017)
  • You just have to adjust your derailleur.

  • After presenting it to the group, they adjusted it according to group members' feedback.

    Academic text (2011)
  • My duty was to monitor and adjust our consumption and supply gauges.

  • He had to adjust the chair height so that it was comfortable for him.

Synonyms

to alter
vsto adjust
493 2.5

To change something slightly or become different

focuses more narrowly on setting things correct or suitable
to correct
vsto adjust
483 1.0

To make something right by fixing a mistake

includes arranging or regulating to reach correctness or suitability
to modify
vsto adjust
268 3.2

Make small changes to something to make it more useful

is a more general act of making correct or properly set
to adapt
vsto adjust
178 3.2

To change something so it fits a new use or situation

is focused on correcting or arranging for current suitability rather than new use
to tune
vsto adjust
  • Specialized
125 3.2

Adjust a machine or system so it works better

is used more generally for making things correct or suitable
to amend
vsto adjust
119 3.9

To make small changes to a document, for example a law or statement, to correct mistakes

is about general correction or arranging beyond formal documents
to align
vsto adjust
89 3.5

To put things in a straight line or in the correct position

is wider, including other corrections beyond simple positioning
to regulate
vsto adjust
82 3.7

To control the amount, speed, or way something happens

includes physical arranging and correcting but focuses on control systems
to tweak
vsto adjust
81 3.8

To make small changes to improve something

covers broader correction or positioning beyond brief practical fixes
to reconfigure
vsto adjust
  • Specialized
53 5.4

Change the order or settings of something to fit new needs

is a more general act of setting or correcting for suitability
to rearrange
vsto adjust
48 2.1

To move things so they are in a new order

is more general, also covering small adjustments and suitability changes
to right
vsto adjust
41 4.4

To put something back into an upright position

is broader, including making things suitable or adjusting settings
to realign
vsto adjust
28 4.9

To move things or ideas into the right position

also covers setting things correctly for the first time
to fine-tune
vsto adjust
26 4.2

To make small changes so something works better

applies to correcting or arranging more generally rather than tiny precision work
to readjust
vsto adjust
22 3.8

Change something or yourself again to fit a new situation

refers to the first act of setting something correct or suitable
to recalibrate
vsto adjust
  • Specialized
21 6.5

Adjust a device or instrument so it works correctly

is broader, applying to many corrective or suitability adjustments

Antonyms

4 6.7

To put parts in the wrong position so they do not line up

4 4.5

To make something lose its order or structure

Phrasal Verbs

Make something larger or smaller so it fits

Change how bright a phone or computer screen is

How Precise

to calibrate
  • Specialized
36 6.0
to fine-tune
26 4.2
tweak
28 3.9
to adjust
317 2.7
to alter
493 2.5
to change
1.0

Surface Forms

adjust infinitive
adjusted past
adjusted past participle
adjusting present participle
adjusts third person singular

Morphology

adjust = just (transparent) = ad + just

The sense 'to make correct, suitable, or in the right position' is directly derived from ad- + just ('to make just/correct'), so the relation is clear.

Etymology

Adjust comes from the Latin parts ad- 'to' and just 'right', the same root as just and justice. So to adjust a chair or a picture is to change it until it is 'right' or in the correct position.