Word
adjunct
Phoneticsad·junct, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæˌdʒəŋkt/
UK/ˈæddʒʌŋkt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who helps in a job but is not a full member of the team. You often see this word for teachers who work part-time or on short contracts.
n. a person employed in a secondary, temporary, or non-permanent role, especially in higher education or law. In grammar, it refers to a word or phrase that adds extra information to a clause but is not essential to its structure.
Examples
“She works as an adjunct professor at the university.”
“The law firm hired several adjunct lawyers to handle the sudden increase in cases.”
“While tenure-track faculty focus on research, adjunct instructors often carry the bulk of undergraduate teaching, providing essential instruction without the security of permanent employment.”
Examples
simple
“She works as an adjunct professor at the university.”
contextual
“The law firm hired several adjunct lawyers to handle the sudden increase in cases.”
complex
“While tenure-track faculty focus on research, adjunct instructors often carry the bulk of undergraduate teaching, providing essential instruction without the security of permanent employment.”
Real-World Examples
“This was the fourth disappointing season since 2020,” said Dr Andrew Watkins, a climate scientist and adjunct professor at the Monash University and a science adviser to the campaign group Protect our Winters.” “By 2021 only 32% had that status , and the rest were adjunct instructors or contract faculty.” Etymology
From Latin adiunctus, perfect passive participle of adiungō (“join to”), from ad + iungō (“join”). Doublet of adjoint.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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