adjuster: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Formal/Professional
Quick answer
What does “adjuster” mean?
A person or device that makes small changes to a mechanism or situation to achieve a desired state.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or device that makes small changes to a mechanism or situation to achieve a desired state.
A professional who assesses insurance claims to determine the extent of the company's liability and the settlement amount.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'loss adjuster' is more specific for complex insurance claims, while 'claims assessor' is also used. In the US, 'insurance adjuster' or 'claims adjuster' is standard. Spelling: 'adjuster' is universal; the variant 'adjustor' is extremely rare.
Connotations
Professional, technical, often associated with bureaucracy and negotiation. Slightly negative connotation from the claimant's perspective if seen as trying to minimize the payout.
Frequency
Moderately common, with similar professional frequency in both variants. More common in US media due to insurance and legal systems.
Grammar
How to Use “adjuster” in a Sentence
The [adjuster] [verb] the [claim]An [adjuster] from [company] [arrived/inspected]The [adjuster] assessed the [damage/loss]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “adjuster” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The engineer will adjust the settings.
American English
- We need to adjust the budget for this quarter.
adverb
British English
- The mirror was adjustably mounted on the wall.
American English
- The headrest moves adjustably to fit any height.
adjective
British English
- The adjustable spanner was essential for the job.
American English
- She bought an adjustable standing desk for her home office.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The independent adjuster was hired to expedite the high-volume claims after the storm.
Academic
In socio-legal studies, the role of the insurance adjuster is examined as a key mediator between contractual obligations and claimant rights.
Everyday
After the car accident, we had to wait for the insurance adjuster to look at the damage.
Technical
The mechanic replaced the faulty carburettor adjuster to fine-tune the air-fuel mixture.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “adjuster”
- Spelling: 'adjutor' or 'adjustor' (rare, use 'adjuster').
- Pronunciation: Stressing the first syllable (AH-juster) is incorrect. It's ə-JUST-er.
- Usage: Using 'adjuster' for a simple repair person (e.g., a plumber). It implies fine-tuning or assessment.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, primarily in the insurance and engineering industries. 'Claims Adjuster' and 'Insurance Adjuster' are standard job titles in many English-speaking countries.
Yes, but it's less common. It can refer to a mechanical device for making fine adjustments, like a 'seat adjuster' in a car or a 'brake adjuster' on a bicycle.
An adjuster determines the cause and extent of loss and the insurer's liability. An appraiser typically determines the value of an item or property, often before a loss occurs.
From a claimant's perspective, the adjuster's job is to settle the claim for the lowest legitimate amount to protect the insurance company's finances, which can create a perceived conflict of interest.
A person or device that makes small changes to a mechanism or situation to achieve a desired state.
Adjuster is usually technical/formal/professional in register.
Adjuster: in British English it is pronounced /əˈdʒʌstə/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈdʒʌstər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't shoot the messenger (the adjuster is just doing their job)”
- “A numbers person (describing the analytical nature of the job)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ADJUST + ER. Just like a 'teacher' teaches, an 'adjuster' ADJUSTS things—claims, damages, or machine parts.
Conceptual Metaphor
ADJUSTER IS AN ARBITRATOR (they mediate between two opposing positions: the claimant's demand and the insurer's liability).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most specific to the UK insurance industry for complex claims?