adjustable
CommonNeutral to formal; technical in engineering/design contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Able to be changed, adapted or modified to fit different requirements or conditions.
Capable of being altered to achieve optimal fit, function, comfort, or suitability; designed with flexibility in mind.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies intentional design for modification rather than accidental adaptability. Often used with mechanical or physical objects, but can extend to abstract systems.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use the same spelling and meaning. Minor preference differences in collocations (e.g., 'adjustable spanner' UK vs 'adjustable wrench' US).
Connotations
Identical connotations in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in technical/manufacturing contexts in US English; equally common in general use.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be + adjustablemake + something + adjustabledesign + something + to be adjustableVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(have) an adjustable moral compass (informal, figurative)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) or adjustable budgets.
Academic
Describing experimental parameters or adjustable variables in research.
Everyday
Talking about furniture, clothing, or tools that can be modified for comfort.
Technical
Specifying components with movable parts, like adjustable resistors or valves.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The office chair has an adjustable lumbar support.
- She bought an adjustable spanner for the plumbing job.
American English
- The driver's seat is fully adjustable for comfort.
- He needed an adjustable wrench to fix the bicycle.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This lamp has an adjustable arm.
- My new backpack has adjustable straps.
- The desk is height adjustable, so you can work standing up.
- We offer mortgages with adjustable interest rates.
- The parameters of the experiment are fully adjustable via the software interface.
- An adjustable-rate loan may be risky if interest rates rise sharply.
- The contract includes an adjustable clause linked to inflation indices.
- The device features an optically adjustable aperture for precise calibration.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DJ adjusting the sound levels – a DJ is 'able' to adjust = adjustable.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADAPTABILITY IS PHYSICAL MOVEMENT (e.g., 'The schedule has some adjustable parts').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'регулируемый' in all contexts – sometimes 'настраиваемый' (tunable) or 'изменяемый' (modifiable) is better.
- Don't confuse with 'подвижный' (movable) – adjustable implies controlled change, not just motion.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'adjustable' for people's opinions (use 'flexible').
- Misspelling as 'adjustible'.
- Confusing with 'adjusted' (already changed vs. capable of change).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'adjustable' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most common for physical objects, it can describe abstract systems like rates, schedules, or parameters.
'Adjustable' implies designed mechanisms for change, often physical. 'Flexible' is broader, describing ease of bending or adaptation, including attitudes and rules.
Rarely. It is almost exclusively an adjective. The noun form is 'adjustability'.
In both UK and US English, it's pronounced as a schwa /əbl̩/ or /əbl/, with the 't' often becoming a glottal stop or flap in connected speech.
Explore