adjust Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
    set; correct.
    • Adjust the clock, please
    • correct the alignment of the front wheels
  2. verb place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight
    line up; align; aline.
    • align the car with the curb
    • align the sheets of paper on the table
  3. verb adapt or conform oneself to new or different conditions
    conform; adapt.
    • We must adjust to the bad economic situation
  4. verb make correspondent or conformable
    • Adjust your eyes to the darkness
  5. verb decide how much is to be paid on an insurance claim

WordNet

Ad*just" transitive verb
Etymology
OF. ajuster, ajoster (whence F. ajouter to add), LL. adjuxtare to fit; fr. L. ad + juxta near; confused later with L. ad and justus just, right, whence F. ajuster to adjust. See Just, v. t. and cf. Adjute.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Adjusted; present participle & verbal noun Adjusting
Definitions
  1. To make exact; to fit; to make correspondent or conformable; to bring into proper relations; as, to adjust a garment to the body, or things to a standard.
  2. To put in order; to regulate, or reduce to system.
    Adjusting the orthography. Johnson.
  3. To settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result; as, to adjust accounts; the differences are adjusted.
  4. To bring to a true relative position, as the parts of an instrument; to regulate for use; as, to adjust a telescope or microscope. Syn. -- To adapt; suit; arrange; regulate; accommodate; set right; rectify; settle.

Webster 1913