adjustment
n. C / Un. a small change you make to something to make it work better or fit a new situation. It can also mean the process of getting used to a new way of living.
n. a small alteration or modification made to achieve a desired fit, appearance, or result. It also refers to the psychological process of adapting to new circumstances or environments.
I need to make a small adjustment to my chair.
Moving to a new country requires a significant period of adjustment as you learn the local customs and language.
The technician made a slight adjustment to the telescope's lens, allowing the researchers to capture a much clearer image of the distant nebula.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ey- Proto-Indo-European *h₂óyu Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-der. Proto-Italic *jowos Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Italic *-tos Proto-Italic *jowestos Old Latin iovestos Latin iūstusbor. Old French juste French juste French ajuster Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥ Proto-Indo-European *-mn̥tom Proto-Italic *-məntom Latin -mentum Old French -ment Middle French -ment French -ment French ajustementbor. English adjustment From French ajustement, or else adjust + -ment.
Countable when referring to a specific change ('an adjustment'); uncountable when referring to the general process of adapting. Often used with the verbs 'make' or 'require'.