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verb Uncommon

tweak

tweek

Tweak (verb) means to make a small adjustment to something in order to improve it. Example: “She tweaked the recipe by adding a bit more salt.”

verb
1
To make a small adjustment to something in order to improve it.
"She tweaked the recipe by adding a bit more salt."
"The developers tweaked the app's design after user feedback."
2
To pinch and pull something sharply with a twist.
"He tweaked his little brother's ear as a joke."
noun
1
A small adjustment or modification.
"A few tweaks to the schedule solved the problem."

How to use tweak

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo make a small change or adjustment to fine-tune something.

Common pairings
tweak a setting minor tweak tweak the design

Word forms

tweaked past tense, tweaks plural, tweaks singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ the recipe by adding a bit more salt.

Etymology

From Old English twiccian, "to pluck", the same root as "twitch"; the slang sense linked to methamphetamine use developed much later.

Origin: Old English

pinch pluck pull off pick off fine-tune

Related words

Rhymes for tweak

See all rhymes for tweak →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tweak” mean?

The word “tweak” means to make a small adjustment to something in order to improve it. In plain terms, to make a small change or adjustment to fine-tune something.

How do you pronounce “tweak”?

“Tweak” is pronounced tweek (/twiːk/ in IPA).

How do you use “tweak” in a sentence?

Here is “tweak” used in a sentence: “She tweaked the recipe by adding a bit more salt.”

What part of speech is “tweak”?

Depending on how it is used, “tweak” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “tweak” come from?

The word “tweak” comes from Old English. From Old English twiccian, "to pluck", the same root as "twitch"; the slang sense linked to methamphetamine use developed much later.

Is “tweak” a common word?

“Tweak” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “tweak” have?

“Tweak” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make a small adjustment to something in order to improve it.

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