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adjust

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //əˈdʒəst// UK //ɐdʒˈʌst// ad·just Academic General-service

v. to change something slightly so that it works better or fits a new situation. You might do this to your clothes, a machine, or even your own behavior.

v. to alter or move something slightly in order to achieve a desired fit, appearance, or result; to adapt to new conditions. Often used in both physical and abstract contexts.


SIMPLE

You can adjust the volume using the remote control.

CONTEXTUAL

It took several weeks for the new employees to adjust to the company's fast-paced culture.

COMPLEX

The technician had to carefully adjust the telescope's mirrors to ensure the captured images were sharp enough for deep-space analysis.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English ajusten, borrowed from Middle French adjuster, or Old French, from Latin ad (“to, up to, towards”) + iustus (“correct, proper, exact”); Equivalent to ad- + just. Probably influenced in sense by Old French ajouster (cf. modern ajouter), from Vulgar Latin *adiuxtāre, from Latin iuxta. The Middle English originally meant "to correct, remedy" in the late 14th century, and was reborrowed from Middle French in the early 17th century. According to another view on the etymology, the word was actually derived from Old French ajouster and then supposedly later influenced by folk etymology from Latin iustus; if so, it is a doublet of adjute.

Usage

The verb can be used transitively with a direct object or intransitively followed by the preposition 'to'.

Pitfall

He adjusted at the new climateHe adjusted to the new climateWhen 'adjust' means to adapt to a situation, it requires the preposition 'to' before the noun.

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