# adjust

/əˈdʒəst/ (US) · /ɐdʒˈʌst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/adjust
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to change slightly

verb · CEFR B1

to change something a little bit so that it fits better or works correctly.

For teachers: to alter or move something slightly in order to achieve a desired fit, appearance, or result. Transitive — requires a direct object.

- He had to adjust his tie in the mirror before the interview started.
- The technician had to adjust the lens focus several times before the image on the screen became sharp enough for the presentation.

### 2. to get used to something

verb · CEFR B2

to change your behaviour or thinking so you can deal with a new situation.

For teachers: to adapt oneself to new conditions or a different environment. Often used with the preposition 'to'.

- It took her a few months to adjust to living in a big city.
- International students often find it challenging to adjust to the different academic expectations of a foreign university system during their first semester.

### 3. to change data or prices

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to change a number or a price so that it is fair or accurate.

For teachers: to regulate or systematise a value, often to account for external factors like inflation or errors.

- The company will adjust its prices next year to cover the higher cost of electricity.
- Economists must adjust the raw data for seasonal variations to provide a more accurate picture of the country's employment trends.

### 4. insurance claims

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical · Formal

to decide how much money an insurance company should pay for a claim.

For teachers: to determine the amount to be paid in the settlement of an insurance claim. Used in a professional legal or financial context.

- The agent arrived to adjust the claim after the storm damaged the roof.
- The firm was hired to adjust the complex liability claims resulting from the industrial accident at the chemical plant.

## Examples

- You can adjust the volume using the remote control.
- It took several weeks for the new employees to adjust to the company's fast-paced culture.
- The technician had to carefully adjust the telescope's mirrors to ensure the captured images were sharp enough for deep-space analysis.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.