WordGarden.ioadjustment
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ədʒˈʌstmənt/
US
- /əˈdʒəstmənt/
Meanings
Noun
a small change made to improve something, correct it, or make it fit better
the process of getting used to new conditions
a change to a payment, price, account, or financial record
Beyond the definition
Life rarely goes exactly as planned! That's where adjustment comes in. It's the process of changing something slightly to make it better or more suitable—whether it's tweaking a recipe, getting used to a new time zone after a long flight, or making changes to your budget.
Think about a painter adjusting the colors on their canvas, or a musician adjusting the tuning of an instrument. It's all about fine-tuning and adapting. Sometimes adjustments are easy, like turning up the volume. Other times they're harder, like adjusting to a big life change. You might need an adjustment period to get used to something new.
Adjustment refers to the act of making small changes to something in order to improve it or make it more suitable for a particular purpose or situation. It's about finding the right balance, refining details, and adapting to changing circumstances.
You might hear about adjustments in many different contexts. A mechanic makes adjustments to an engine to ensure it runs smoothly. An accountant makes adjustments to tax returns. A sailor adjusts the sails of a boat to catch the wind. In finance, an adjustment can refer to adding or subtracting from an account balance.
But adjustment isn't just about physical things. It also describes the process of adapting to new conditions or situations. When you move to a new city, there's often an adjustment period as you get used to your surroundings and routines. Similarly, people might need to make emotional adjustments after experiencing loss or change.
In everyday business and customer service, an adjustment can also be a correction to a bill, a claim, or a price—for example, a store might offer a price adjustment if an item goes on sale soon after you buy it.
Grammatically, adjustment is a noun formed from the verb adjust ("She adjusted the thermostat"). It implies a deliberate effort to improve something or cope with new realities. Sometimes it's about precision—a tiny adjustment can make all the difference. Other times, it's about resilience—learning to adjust to life's inevitable ups and downs.
Examples
- 1
Furniture
After a few small adjustments, the chair was much more comfortable.
- 2
Cooking
The recipe only needs a slight adjustment if you're cooking for two.
- 3
New job
Starting a new job was a big adjustment for him.
- 4
New school
Children often need time to make the adjustment to a new school.
- Patternmake the adjustment to + new situation
get used to it
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Budget change
The company made an adjustment to its budget after sales fell.
- Patternmake an adjustment to + thing
change it slightly
- 6
Price correction
She asked for a price adjustment when the online store charged her twice.
- Phraseprice adjustment
a change in the price
- 7
Travel recovery
Most people sleep badly during the adjustment period after a long flight.
- Phraseadjustment period
a time when you get used to a change
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- overhaul
- status quo
Used with (collocations)
- make an adjustment
- minor adjustment
- price adjustment
- manual adjustment
Word family
Explore
- calibration
- fine-tuning
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- adjustmentnoun
Forms
- adjustmentspluralnoun