adjustment

The word “adjustment” means a small change made to improve or correct something. In plain terms, a change made to fix, improve, or adapt something.

“Adjustment” is pronounced uh-JUHST-muhnt (/əˈd͡ʒʌst.mənt/ in IPA).

Here is “adjustment” used in a sentence: “A minor adjustment to the recipe made all the difference.”

“Adjustment” is a noun.

The word “adjustment” comes from Latin. Traces back through French ajustement to Latin iustus ("just, correct") — the underlying idea of making something right or precise.

“Adjustment” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Adjustment” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small change made to improve or correct something.

A "change" can be large or small and simply means something becomes different, while an "adjustment" is usually a small, deliberate change made to improve, correct, or fine-tune something. Adjustments are minor by nature.

An "adjustment" is often a specific small change or the early stage of settling into something new, while "adaptation" suggests a deeper, longer-term process of changing to fit new conditions. Adaptation implies more fundamental change than a simple adjustment.

You usually make an "adjustment to" something, and you can talk about an "adjustment in" a level or figure. When describing settling in, people speak of the "adjustment to" a new job, city, or routine.

Common pairings include "make an adjustment," "minor adjustment," "slight adjustment," and "period of adjustment." The phrase "period of adjustment" refers to the time it takes to get used to a new situation.