adjust
adjust
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "adjust" is:
əˈdʒʌst
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ə (first syllable):
This represents the schwa sound, a very short, unstressed vowel.
ˈdʒʌst (second syllable):
ˈdʒ: This is the voiced postalveolar affricate, similar to the "j" sound in "jump." The symbol ˈ indicates the location of the primary stress.
ʌ: This is the mid-central unrounded vowel, as in "cup."
st: This is a consonant cluster consisting of the alveolar fricative "s" followed by the alveolar stop "t".
Word Form Variations
Verb Forms:
Base form: adjust
Third-person singular present: adjusts
Past tense: adjusted
Present participle/gerund: adjusting
Derived Forms:
Adjustment (noun): The act of adjusting.
Adjuster (noun): A person who adjusts something, especially in an insurance context.
Adjustable (adjective): Capable of being adjusted.
Adjustably (adverb): In an adjustable manner.
It's important to note that "adjust" primarily functions as a verb. Therefore, it doesn't have typical noun plural forms like many other words. However, it generates other words that do have singular and plural forms, such as "adjusters."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb (adjust):
Definition: To modify or change something to make it more suitable or effective.
Synonyms: modify, alter, regulate, adapt, amend, fine-tune, calibrate, rectify.
Antonyms: disrupt, disturb, destabilize, disarrange, leave unchanged, maintain, preserve.
Definition: To become or cause to become used to a new situation or condition.
Synonyms: adapt, acclimate, conform, reconcile, harmonize, settle in.
Antonyms: resist, reject, refuse, remain unaccustomed.
Noun (adjustment):
Definition: The act of making changes to something; a change made to correct or improve something.
Synonyms: modification, alteration, correction, rectification, adaptation, regulation, amendment, calibration.
Antonyms: disruption, imbalance, disarray, static condition, unchange.
Definition: The process of adapting or becoming accustomed to a new situation.
Synonyms: adaptation, acclimation, accommodation, settling in, reconciliation.
Antonyms: maladjustment, alienation, resistance, refusal.
Adjective (adjustable):
Definition: Capable of being changed or modified.
Synonyms: adaptable, modifiable, flexible, variable, alterable, customizable.
Antonyms: fixed, rigid, unchangeable, inflexible, static, immutable.
Adverb (adjustably):
Definition: In a manner that can be changed or modified.
Synonyms: flexibly, variably, modifiably, adaptably.
Antonyms: rigidly, inflexibly, immutably, unchangeably.
Noun (adjuster):
Definition: A person who assesses damage or determines the amount to be paid in an insurance claim.
Synonyms: assessor, appraiser, evaluator, claims representative.
Definition: A person or device that makes adjustments.
Synonyms: modifier, regulator, calibrator.
Examples of Use
In News and Online Publications:
Financial News:
"The Federal Reserve may need to adjust interest rates to combat inflation." This is very common in financial news reporting.
"The company's earnings were adjusted to reflect accounting changes." (Various Financial news sources)
Sports:
"The team had to adjust their strategy after the star player was injured." (USA TODAY)
"Has the league started adjusting to the former fifth-round draft pick?" (Los Angeles Times)
Technology:
"The device automatically adjusts the screen's brightness based on ambient light." (PCMAG)
"The half-zip sweatshirt adjusts to your liking, while the tracksuit keeps you warm." (Rolling Stone)
Health and Science:
"It takes time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness." (Sacramento Bee)
"As activity levels increase, their sleep needs adjust accordingly." (YourDictionary.com)
In General Public Discourse:
Everyday Conversations:
"I need to adjust the thermostat; it's too cold in here."
"It's hard to adjust to a new work schedule."
"We are having to adjust to the higher cost of living."
Social Commentary:
"Society needs to adjust to the changing demographics."
Key Observations:
The word "adjust" is frequently used when discussing changes in response to external factors.
It applies to both physical changes (like adjusting a device) and abstract changes (like adjusting to a new situation).
It is used in very technical contexts, like accounting, and in very common contexts, like talking about the temperature in your home.
10 Famous Quotes Using Adjust
"Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change, to adjust to the unexpected." — Stephen Hawking
"The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is the same problem you had last year; if so, you didn’t adjust." — John Foster Dulles
"Life does not get easier or more forgiving, we get stronger and more resilient because we adjust." — Steve Maraboli
"Those who cannot adjust to change will be swept aside by it." — Jawaharlal Nehru
"Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product of a life well lived. We adjust our course toward it, not chase it." — Eleanor Roosevelt
"To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence — plus the ability to adjust when you’re wrong." — Mark Twain
"The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings." — Kakuzō Okakura
"Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape; they adjust and endure." — Anonymous proverb
"You can’t change the wind, but you can adjust your sails." — Dolly Parton
"The test of courage comes when we are in the minority; the test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority; and the test of wisdom comes when we adjust to both." — Ralph W. Sockman
Etymology
Its Roots:
The word "adjust" comes from the Old French word "ajuster."
"Ajuster" meant "to make right, to fit, to regulate."
This Old French word itself came from the Latin word "ad-iustare."
"ad-" means "to"
"iustare" means "to make just" or "to make right" (and is related to "justice").
The Journey:
So, imagine the word traveling from Latin to Old French, and then finally to English.
Essentially, the core idea has always been about "making things right" or "bringing them into a proper state."
First Known Use and Meaning:
The first known use of "adjust" in English was in the late 1500s.
Its initial meaning was very similar to its French and Latin ancestors: "to bring to a proper state" or "to regulate."
Over time, the word has expanded to include the idea of adapting to new circumstances, but the fundamental idea of "making something fit" or "correcting something" has remained.
In essence, "adjust" has a long history of meaning "to make things right," whether that's fixing a physical object or adapting to a new situation. It's a word that reflects the human need to bring things into harmony.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Adjust
"Adjust" isn't a word that lends itself to a huge number of common idioms in the same way that, say, "break" or "get" does. It's a bit more straightforward and less metaphorical in its usage. This is likely because "adjust" describes a process rather than a single, dramatic action.
Limited Common Idioms:
You'll find very few, if any, widely recognized idioms using the word "adjust" itself.
Why It's Difficult:
"Adjust" is typically used in a literal sense, describing a change or modification. Idioms, on the other hand, rely on figurative language.
The concept of "adjusting" is often implied rather than explicitly stated in common sayings.
Phrases and Workarounds:
"Adjust to the situation": This is a common phrase, but not quite an idiom. It simply means to adapt to what's happening.
"Adjust your thinking": Similar to the above, it means to change your perspective.
"Adjust the balance": This is often used in a financial or metaphorical sense, referring to correcting an imbalance.
"Make adjustments": a very common phrase, that is used in many different scenarios.
"Adjust your sails": This phrase is a metaphorical idiom that relates to adapting to changing circumstances, particularly in the face of adversity. It is derived from sailing, and it is used to describe how to change your plans to suit the current situation.
Using Synonyms:
To get around the limited use of "adjust," we can look at idioms using synonyms like "adapt" or "change":
"Roll with the punches" (adapt to difficulties).
"Go with the flow" (adapt to circumstances).
"Change of heart" (adjust one's feelings).
"Turn over a new leaf" (adjust one's behavior).
Original Phrases:
"Adjust the lens of perception": This phrase implies changing one's viewpoint or understanding of a situation.
"Adjust the rhythm of life": This phrase suggests adapting to a new pace or lifestyle.
While "adjust" itself may not be rich in idioms, the concept it represents—adaptation and change—is deeply embedded in many common sayings.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of adjust from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
