adjustor
LowTechnical, Professional, Formal
Definition
Meaning
A person or device that makes adjustments or settles insurance claims.
A professional who investigates insurance claims to determine the company's liability and settles the amount to be paid; also, a mechanical component used to fine-tune or calibrate a system.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in insurance and mechanical/engineering contexts. In insurance, it is synonymous with 'claims adjuster'. Its use often implies a formal, official role.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the spelling 'adjuster' is more common. 'Adjustor' is a variant, but 'claims adjuster' is the standard job title. In mechanical contexts, both spellings are seen.
Connotations
None; purely denotative.
Frequency
The '-or' ending is slightly more frequent in formal or legal documents, but '-er' is dominant in general use.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
adjustor for [company]adjustor of [claims/mechanism]adjustor appointed by [insurer]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The insurance adjustor will inspect the property damage next week.
Academic
The role of the independent adjustor in tort law is critically examined.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. 'The guy from the insurance company' is more common.
Technical
Rotate the tension adjustor clockwise to increase the pressure.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The adjustor came to look at the car.
- After the flood, an insurance adjustor visited our house.
- The independent adjustor's report was crucial in disputing the initial settlement offer.
- Actuaries rely on the findings of loss adjustors to refine their risk models and premium calculations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: An adjustor ADJUSTS FOR you (settles claims) or adjusts a FOR (four) setting on a machine.
Conceptual Metaphor
A HUMAN TOOL (a person who is an instrument for correcting imbalance).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'настройщик' (tuner) in insurance contexts. Use 'эксперт-оценщик (страховой компании)' or 'аварийный комиссар'. For mechanics, 'регулятор' or 'корректирующее устройство' is better.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'adjustor' with 'advisor' or 'assessor'. Using it in non-professional contexts where 'mechanic' or 'repair person' is more appropriate.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'adjustor' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no difference in meaning. 'Adjustor' is a less common variant spelling, often seen in formal or legal contexts, while 'adjuster' is the standard spelling.
Not exactly. An adjustor investigates the cause and extent of a loss to settle a claim. An appraiser determines the value of an item, often before a loss occurs.
Yes, in mechanical or technical contexts, it can refer to a device for making small adjustments, like a 'seat height adjustor' in a car.
It has low general frequency. It is a specialist term most often encountered in the insurance industry or technical manuals.