adjustment - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
adjustment Word Meanings
- a small change made to something
- the process of adjusting to new conditions
- a change or correction
adjustment Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
adjustment Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/əˈdʒʌst.mənt/
US
/əˈdʒʌst.mənt/
adjustment Word Etymology
adjustment: ad- = to, just = right + ment = process; Origin: Latin → Old French → English. Imagine fine-tuning a guitar to get it just right for a perfect melody.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I grip the dial and move it a notch, slow and sure. The numbers drift as I adjust the setting, and the room seems to lean toward a softer light. It feels like steering a boat with steady hands, a small push that keeps things on course. That small adjustment is what I lean on when the day needs to fit just right.
Real Context
Adjustment is a noun that covers small changes, the act of adapting to new conditions, or a correction. In daily life you might make an adjustment to the thermostat, a clothing fit, or a plan after feedback. It sits between a tweak and a full change, and it’s often used when the result should be closer to what you want without a complete overhaul. Many learners confuse adjustment with adjust, which is a verb; the noun form emphasizes the outcome or process of fine tuning.
Usage Reminders
- Use the noun form for the act or result of fine tuning. Pair with phrases like make an adjustment, adjustment to, or require an adjustment. Remember adjust is the verb. Think of adjustment as the planned change, not the action of changing. It often appears in technical, academic, or professional contexts. Compare with tweak, modification, or correction to choose the most precise word.
Common Misconceptions
- It is only a physical change of objects, not plans or settings.
- Adjustment equals a major overhaul, not a minor tweak.
- Adjustment and adjust are interchangeable as verbs.
- It always implies a problem to fix, never an adaptation.
- It can refer to a person who adjusts others, which is incorrect.
Thinking Differences
In English the idea centers on a concrete, measurable change or adaptation, with clear noun usage that signals a specific outcome or process. Learners often want to use adjustment for big changes or for actions, which English would more likely call a tweak or overhaul. Pay attention to collocations like make an adjustment or an adjustment to something.
Learning Tips
- Differentiate noun vs verb usage and memorize common collocations.
- Practice with both physical objects and abstract plans/settings.
- Compare adjustment with tweak, modification, and correction to pick the best fit.
- Note that adjustment can describe adaptation to new conditions, not just fixes.
- Watch for context: technical or professional contexts often favor noun usage.
- Create your own sentences to solidify the nuance of fine tuning.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'adjustment'?
A.Modification
B.Complication
C.Innovation
D.Revolution
Step 2: Usage
How is the word 'adjustment' used in a sentence?
A.They ignored the adjustment completely.
B.She made an adjustment to her schedule.
C.He caused a chaos with his adjustment.
D.I avoided the adjustment at all costs.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'adjustment'?
A.Regret
B.Destruction
C.Isolation
D.Adaptation
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'adjustment'?
A.Acceptance
B.Acquisition
C.Stagnation
D.Disruption
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you need to make an adjustment?
A.When following orders
B.When changing careers
C.When avoiding challenges
D.When staying the same
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