adjustments

IPA/əˈdʒʌst.mənt/
KK[ədʒˈʌstmənts]IPA/əˈdʒʌst.mənt/

adjustments — noun

  • adjustmentssingular
  • adjustmentsesplural

1. small changes made to a plan, amount, object, or position so that it works bette

1.nounB2
Definition

small changes made to a plan, amount, object, or position so that it works better or fits the real situation.

Example

The tailor made a few adjustments to Saira's jacket sleeves before the wedding.

make adjustments to [clothing/item]

After the storm, engineers made adjustments to the bridge lights and warning signs.

make adjustments after a problem or event

Common collocations
  • minor adjustments
  • make adjustments
  • final adjustments
  • adjustments to the budget
Synonyms
  • changes

    broader and more general; they may be large or small

  • tweaks

    informal and often even smaller or more delicate

  • modifications

    more formal and often used for deliberate improvements

  • corrections

    focuses on fixing something wrong rather than fine-tuning it

Grammar Patterns

make adjustments to [thing]

adjustments in price / position / plan

Usage Note

Usually appears in the plural when several small changes are made to improve fit, timing, money, or position. Common after 'make' and before 'to'.

Common Mistakes

The engineer did some adjustments on the plan.
The engineer made some adjustments to the plan.
the usual pattern is 'make adjustments to', not 'do adjustments on'.

2. the gradual process or ability of becoming comfortable in a new place, system, o

2.nounB2
Definition

the gradual process or ability of becoming comfortable in a new place, system, or stage of life.

Example

Théo's first adjustments to dorm life took longer than he expected.

adjustments to [new way of living]

Moving from Manila to Hualien required many adjustments for the whole family.

life change requires adjustments

Common collocations
  • adjustments to school life
  • social adjustments
  • emotional adjustments
  • adjustments after retirement
Synonyms
  • adaptation

    broader and more formal; it can describe biological or practical change as well

  • acclimatization

    especially getting used to a new climate or physical environment

  • settling in

    informal and focused on the early stage of becoming comfortable

  • coping

    focuses more on managing difficulty than on becoming familiar

Grammar Patterns

adjustments to [new situation]

make adjustments after [life change]

Usage Note

This sense is about adapting to a changed life situation, such as a move, a new job, or retirement. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is about deliberate small changes to things or plans.

Common Mistakes

She had many adjustments with college life.
She had many adjustments to college life.
use the preposition 'to' when talking about adapting to a new situation.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Adjustments' usually means small, practical changes made so something fits real conditions better. 'Changes' is much broader and can be big, small, good, or bad. 'Tweaks' is informal and suggests tiny fine-tuning, especially of settings or style. 'Modifications' sounds more formal and deliberate, often for technical improvements or redesigned plans. 'Adaptations' usually points to changing for a new purpose or environment, and it can also describe the personal process of getting used to change. You make adjustments to a budget, chair, or schedule; you make tweaks to a sound setting; engineers design modifications; and desert plants show adaptations to heat.

adjustments ↗changes ↗tweaks ↗modifications ↗adaptations ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • budget adjustments
  • price adjustments
  • social adjustments
  • final adjustments

Phrases

  • make adjustments
  • need adjustments
  • with a few adjustments
  • adjustments to school life

Prepositions

  • adjustments to
  • adjustments for

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Built in English from 'adjust' plus the noun ending '-ment'. 'Adjust' came through French from a Latin verb meaning 'bring into proper relation' or 'make right'. The noun first referred to the act of setting things correctly, and later widened to include both practical fine-tuning and the human process of getting used to new conditions.

First known use

1644

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1