# adjustable

/əˈdʒəstəbəɫ/ (US) · /ɐdʒˈʌstəbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/adjustable
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. capable of being changed

adjective · CEFR B1

able to be changed in size, position, or level to fit your needs.

For teachers: capable of being modified or regulated to achieve a desired fit, function, or state.

- The office chair has an adjustable seat so you can sit at the right height.
- The technician recommended an adjustable mounting bracket to ensure the solar panels could be tilted toward the sun as the seasons changed.

Usage: Typically used before a noun or after a linking verb like 'is' or 'seems'.

Teaching tip: Learners often confuse this with 'adaptable'; explain that 'adjustable' usually refers to physical parts or settings, while 'adaptable' often refers to people or abstract systems.

## Examples

- The height of this office chair is adjustable.
- Most modern car seats are fully adjustable to ensure the driver remains comfortable during long journeys.
- The telescope features an adjustable lens mount, allowing astronomers to fine-tune the focus with extreme precision regardless of atmospheric conditions.

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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.