adjust

UK: /əˈdʒʌst/ US: /əˈdʒʌst/ ,(ə just′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ad•just /əˈdʒʌst/   v. 

1. to change (something) so that it fits, corresponds, looks, or works better:
   [~ + object] to adjust the picture on a TV set.
2. Business [~ + object] to decide on the amount to be paid in settlement of (an insurance claim).
3. to adapt oneself;
   become adapted: [~ + to + object]
   to adjust to new demands.
   [~ + oneself + to + object]
   They adjusted themselves to life in the tropics.

ad•just•a•ble, adj. 
ad•just•er, ad•jus•tor, n. [countable] See -jus-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ad•just  (ə just′), v.t. 

1. to change (something) so that it fits, corresponds, or conforms;
   adapt;
   accommodate:
   to adjust expenses to income.
2. to put in good working order;
   regulate;
   bring to a proper state or position:
   to adjust an instrument.
3. to settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result:
   to adjust our differences.
4. Business [Insurance.] to determine the amount to be paid in settlement of (a claim).
5. to systematize.
6. Military to correct the elevation or deflection of (a gun).

v.i. 

7. to adapt oneself;
   become adapted:
   They had no problems in adjusting at the new school.

• Late Latin adjuxtāre; see ad-, juxta-
• Anglo-French ajuster, Old French aj(o)uster to make conform to, verb, verbal derivative, with a- a-⁵, of juste right, just¹, influenced in sense by ajouter, ajoster to add
• Middle English ajusten 1350–1400

Synonyms

• 2. set; repair, fix.
  Adjust, adapt, alter in their literal meanings imply making necessary or desirable changes (as in position, shape, or the like).
  To adjust is to move into proper position for use:
  to adjust the eyepiece of a telescope.
  To adapt is to make a change in character, to make something useful in a new way:
  to adapt a paper clip for a hairpin.
  To alter is to change the appearance but not the use:
  to alter the height of a table.
• 3. arrange; rectify; reconcile.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

adjust / əˈdʒʌst/ verb

1. (transitive) to alter slightly, esp to achieve accuracy; regulate
2. to adapt, as to a new environment, etc
3. (transitive) to put into order
4. (transitive) to determine the amount payable in settlement of (a claim)

Etymology: 17th Century: from Old French adjuster, from ad- to + juste right, just

adˈjustable adjective

adˈjuster noun