adjustment
An adjustment is a small change you make to something to make it better or to get used to a new situation.
Explanation at your level:
An adjustment is a small change. If your chair is not comfortable, you move it. That is an adjustment. If you move to a new house, you need time to feel happy there. That is also an adjustment.
When you make an adjustment, you change something slightly. For example, you can make an adjustment to your computer settings. It also means getting used to a new place or a new job. It takes time for an adjustment to happen.
An adjustment is a modification made to improve something or the process of adapting to a new situation. We often say 'make an adjustment' to show we are fixing a problem. It is common to talk about the 'adjustment phase' when starting something new, like a new school year.
The term adjustment is frequently used to describe both technical refinements and psychological transitions. In professional contexts, it often refers to financial or policy changes. In personal contexts, it refers to the cognitive effort of adapting to change. It is a neutral term that fits well in both formal reports and casual conversations.
Beyond simple changes, adjustment implies a deliberate process of recalibration. In academic or professional settings, it suggests a strategic response to new data or environmental pressures. It is the bridge between the status quo and a more optimized state. Whether discussing 'market adjustments' or 'cultural adjustment,' the word carries a sense of necessity and intent.
At the C2 level, adjustment is understood as a systemic necessity. It represents the homeostasis of a system—whether mechanical, biological, or societal—returning to equilibrium after a disturbance. Etymologically linked to 'fitting' or 'joining,' it highlights the human capacity for resilience. Mastery of this word involves recognizing its nuance in legal, economic, and psychological discourse, where it denotes not just change, but corrective change.
Mot en 30 secondes
- A small change.
- Used for things and people.
- Countable noun.
- Common in business.
Hey there! Think of adjustment as that little 'tweak' you do to make things just right. Whether it's tightening a loose screw on your bike or getting used to a new school, you are making an adjustment.
In everyday life, we use this word for two main things. First, it's about physical changes—like moving a chair to be more comfortable. Second, it's about personal growth—like how you feel when you start a new routine. It is all about finding balance!
The word adjustment comes from the Old French word ajuster, which means 'to fit' or 'to arrange.' It is rooted in the Medieval Latin adjuxtare, combining ad- (to) and juxta (near).
Historically, it was used in mechanical contexts to describe fitting parts together. Over time, the meaning expanded to include the 'fitting' of our minds to new situations. It is a classic example of a word moving from the workshop to the psychology lab!
You will hear adjustment in almost every setting. In business, you might hear about a 'salary adjustment.' In mechanics, it's a 'mechanical adjustment.' It is a very versatile noun.
Commonly, we pair it with verbs like make, require, or need. 'I need to make an adjustment to my plans' is a very natural way to sound like a native speaker. It is formal enough for an office but common enough for a chat with friends.
While adjustment itself isn't always in an idiom, it is part of the 'adjustment period.'
- Adjustment period: The time it takes to get used to something.
- Minor adjustment: A very small change.
- Necessary adjustment: A change that must happen.
- Structural adjustment: Large scale changes in organizations.
- Attitude adjustment: A sarcastic way of saying someone needs to be nicer.
Adjustment is a countable noun. You can say 'an adjustment' or 'many adjustments.' The stress is on the second syllable: ad-JUST-ment.
It rhymes with judgment, fragment, and sediment. In IPA, it is /əˈdʒʌst.mənt/ in both British and American English. Remember to keep the 'd' sound clear at the start!
Fun Fact
It was originally a mechanical term!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'dju' sound
Slightly faster 'dju'
Common Errors
- dropping the 'd'
- stressing the first syllable
- mispronouncing the 'ment' suffix
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
I need an adjustment.
Examples by Level
I made an adjustment to my chair.
I changed my chair a little.
Use 'an' before adjustment.
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5
Example 6
Example 7
Example 8
The teacher made an adjustment to the schedule.
Moving to a new city is a big adjustment.
I need an adjustment to my glasses.
The bike needs a small adjustment.
Is the adjustment finished?
He is making an adjustment to his diet.
The process requires an adjustment.
She handled the adjustment well.
We need to make some adjustments to the plan.
The adjustment period lasts two weeks.
He struggled with the adjustment to university life.
The company announced a salary adjustment.
Can you help me with this adjustment?
The machine needs a minor adjustment.
It was a difficult adjustment for the whole family.
The adjustment of the lens took a long time.
The government implemented a structural adjustment program.
She made a quick adjustment to her presentation.
The adjustment in interest rates affected the market.
He is still in the adjustment phase of his career.
The adjustment of the mirrors is crucial for safety.
There was a slight adjustment in the final figures.
Cultural adjustment can be a slow process.
The team required an adjustment in strategy.
The policy underwent a significant adjustment to meet new standards.
Psychological adjustment is key to overcoming trauma.
We must consider the adjustment of the parameters.
The adjustment of the tax code was controversial.
The athlete made a mid-air adjustment to his jump.
Her adjustment to the new environment was seamless.
The system requires a constant adjustment to remain stable.
We are monitoring the adjustment of the global economy.
The recalibration of the sensor required a delicate adjustment.
Societal adjustment to the digital age is ongoing.
The adjustment of the narrative structure improved the book.
He spoke about the adjustment of the human spirit to hardship.
The legal framework requires a major adjustment.
The adjustment of the telescope revealed new stars.
There is a necessary adjustment of expectations.
The adjustment of the internal clock takes time.
Synonymes
Antonymes
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"attitude adjustment"
forcing someone to change their behavior
He needs an attitude adjustment.
casual/sarcastic""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
both mean altering
adjustment is usually specific/small
I made a change vs I made an adjustment.
Sentence Patterns
make an adjustment to
I made an adjustment to the plan.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
Adjustment is a noun, so it needs 'to'.
Tips
The 'Just' Trick
Remember the word 'just' inside adjustment!
Make vs Do
Always use 'make' an adjustment.
Business Context
Used often in salary discussions.
Countable Noun
Always use 'an' or 'the'.
Clear D
Pronounce the d sound clearly.
Noun vs Verb
Don't say 'I adjustment the chair'.
Mechanical roots
It started in workshops.
Flashcards
Use 'make an adjustment' on one side.
Pluralization
It is regular (add -s).
Formal vs Casual
Works in both!
Memorize It
Mnemonic
AD-JUST-MENT: Just make it fit!
Visual Association
A mechanic turning a wrench.
Word Web
Défi
List 3 things you adjusted today.
Origine du mot
Latin/French
Original meaning: to fit
Contexte culturel
None
Used in business and daily life.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- salary adjustment
- schedule adjustment
- policy adjustment
Conversation Starters
"How was your adjustment to your new job?"
"Do you need an adjustment to your plan?"
"What is the hardest adjustment you ever made?"
"Can you make an adjustment to the volume?"
"Is this adjustment okay?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a recent adjustment you made.
How do you handle big life adjustments?
Describe an adjustment you need to make.
Is adjusting to change easy for you?
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNo, it is a noun. The verb is 'adjust'.
Teste-toi
I made an ___ to my desk.
It fits the context of changing something.
What does adjustment mean?
It means a small change.
An adjustment is always a big change.
Usually it is a small or minor change.
Word
Signification
They are synonyms.
Subject-verb-object order.
Score : /5
Summary
An adjustment is a small change made to improve something or help you get used to a new situation.
- A small change.
- Used for things and people.
- Countable noun.
- Common in business.
The 'Just' Trick
Remember the word 'just' inside adjustment!
Make vs Do
Always use 'make' an adjustment.
Business Context
Used often in salary discussions.
Countable Noun
Always use 'an' or 'the'.
Exemple
I need to make a small adjustment to the driver's seat before we leave.
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