Word
adjustment
Phoneticsad·just·ment
US/əˈdʒəstmənt/
UK/ɐdʒˈʌstmənt/
Definitions
01a small change
n. a small change you make to something to improve it or make it more accurate.
n. a minor alteration or correction intended to enhance functionality, accuracy, or fit.
“The mechanic made a quick adjustment to the brakes so the car would stop more smoothly.”
“The tailor suggested a slight adjustment to the waistline of the trousers to ensure a more comfortable fit during movement.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'make' or 'require'.
Synonyms
02adapting to a situation
n. the process of getting used to a new place, job, or way of living.
n. the psychological or behavioural process of adapting to new conditions or environmental changes.
“Moving to a new country is a big adjustment for the whole family.”
“The transition from university to a full-time corporate role often requires a significant period of adjustment for young professionals.”
Usage
Commonly follows the preposition 'to'.
Synonyms
03financial/insurance settlement
n. the process of deciding how much money is owed for an insurance claim or a debt.
n. the formal assessment and settlement of an insurance claim or the balancing of a financial account.
“The insurance company sent an expert to handle the adjustment of the fire damage claim.”
“The final adjustment of the accounts revealed a discrepancy that had been overlooked during the initial audit.”
Technical · Formal
Teaching tip
In this context, an 'adjuster' is the professional who evaluates the value of the claim.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“On May 15, the spacecraft passed Mars and used the planet's gravity to increase its speed and make a slight adjustment to its path.” “Of the many companies he spoke to, most “made adjustments to their diversity principles on account of legal and regulatory environments”.” “Photograph: Anders Bjurö/TT/Shutterstock No one is expecting Uneken to match Ure’s numbers immediately and, if there is a period of adjustment, Sirius have plenty of breathing room.” “With those adjustments, the team successfully produced cemented carbide through AM without sacrificing its hardness.” Etymology
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Collocations
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/adjustment