tweak

UK: /ˈtwiːk/ US: /twik/ ,(twēk)

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

tweak /twik/   v. [~ + object]

1. to pinch and pull with a jerk and twist:
   to tweak someone's ear.
2. to pull or pinch the nose of, esp. gently.

n. [countable]

3. an act or instance of tweaking:
   a playful tweak of the nose.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

tweak (twēk),  v.t. 

1. to pinch and pull with a jerk and twist:
   to tweak someone's ear; to tweak someone's nose.
2. to pull or pinch the nose of, esp. gently:
   He tweaked the baby on greeting.
3. to make a minor adjustment to:
   to tweak a computer program.

n. 

4. an act or instance of tweaking;
   a sharp, twisting pull or jerk.

• akin to twitch 1595–1605

tweak, +v.t. 

1. to make a minor adjustment to:
   to tweak a computer program.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tweak / twiːk/ verb (transitive)

1. to twist, jerk, or pinch with a sharp or sudden movement
2. to make a minor alteration

noun

1. an instance of tweaking
2. a minor alteration

Etymology: Old English twiccian; related to Old High German zwecchōn; see twitch