# tweak

/ˈtwik/ (US) · /twˈiːk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tweak
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to adjust slightly

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to make small changes to something so that it works better.

For teachers: to make fine-grained adjustments to a system, process, or object to improve performance or accuracy.

- We just need to tweak the settings on the oven to get the cake right.
- The software engineers spent the weekend tweaking the algorithm to reduce latency during peak traffic hours.

Usage: Often used with 'the' followed by a specific setting or parameter.

### 3. to act erratically

verb · CEFR C2 · American English · Slang

to act very nervous or strange, often because of drugs.

For teachers: to exhibit extreme nervousness, excitability, or erratic behavior, typically associated with methamphetamine abuse.

- He was tweaking in the corner, looking around like he was being followed.
- The suspect began tweaking during the interrogation, making it difficult for the officers to obtain a coherent statement.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly informal and carries a strong negative association with drug culture; use with caution.

### 4. a small change

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a small change made to improve something.

For teachers: a minor modification or adjustment intended to optimize a result.

- With a few minor tweaks, the presentation will be ready for the client.
- The designer suggested a few aesthetic tweaks to the layout to make the interface more intuitive for new users.

## Examples

- I need to tweak the recipe a little bit.
- The engineers had to tweak the software settings to stop the computer from overheating during heavy use.
- After reviewing the initial feedback from the focus group, the marketing team decided to tweak the campaign's slogan to better resonate with younger consumers.

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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.