readjust
B2Neutral (common in both formal and informal contexts)
Definition
Meaning
To change something slightly so that it is in the correct, more effective, or more appropriate condition or position again.
To adapt psychologically to a new or changed situation, environment, or set of circumstances; to get used to something again.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The prefix 're-' indicates a repetition of the action of adjusting. It implies a previous state of adjustment that has been disturbed or become incorrect, necessitating a new, often minor, correction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Minor potential for spelling variation in derived forms (e.g., 'readjustment' vs. 're-adjustment', though 'readjustment' is standard in both).
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. Slight tendency to be used more in formal or psychological contexts in British English (e.g., 'readjust to civilian life'), while American English may use it more broadly in mechanical/technical contexts.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties. Slightly more common in American English corpora, but not significantly.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] readjusts [Object] (transitive)[Subject] readjusts to [Noun Phrase] (intransitive with 'to')[Subject] readjusts [Object] to [Noun Phrase] (ditransitive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Readjust your sights”
- “Readjust the balance”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to financial forecasts, budgets, or business strategies after new data emerges.
Academic
Used in psychology/sociology to discuss adaptation after life changes or trauma.
Everyday
Talking about getting used to a new routine, time zone, or living situation.
Technical
Calibrating or aligning a machine, instrument, or system after it has drifted.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She needed a moment to readjust her eyes to the bright light.
- The committee will readjust its priorities following the budget cuts.
- It takes time to readjust to the pace of life back home after travelling.
American English
- He had to readjust the rearview mirror before driving.
- Investors should readjust their portfolios for the new tax year.
- Soldiers often struggle to readjust to civilian life.
adjective
British English
- The readjustable headrest provided extra comfort.
- A readjustable rate mortgage offers some initial flexibility.
American English
- The readjustable straps on the backpack were very useful.
- They signed a readjustable lease agreement.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please readjust your chair.
- I had to readjust my bag on my shoulder.
- After the holiday, it was hard to readjust to my work schedule.
- Can you readjust the television antenna? The picture is blurry.
- The company was forced to readjust its sales forecasts after the economic downturn.
- Immigrants often face a challenging period where they must readjust to a new culture.
- The therapist helped her readjust her cognitive frameworks after the traumatic event.
- The mechanism will readjust itself automatically to compensate for temperature fluctuations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RE-ADJUST' — you must ADJUST something AGAIN (RE-). Like adjusting a chair, then someone else uses it, so you have to RE-adjust it for yourself.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY REQUIRING NAVIGATION: 'readjust your course'. BALANCE IS STABILITY: 'readjust the balance of power'.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'перенастроить' for non-technical contexts; 'привыкнуть заново' or 'адаптироваться' is often better for psychological adaptation.
- Do not confuse with 'adjust' ('приспосабливать'). 'Readjust' always implies a prior state of correct adjustment.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'readjust with' instead of 'readjust to'.
- Omitting the hyphen can cause initial misreading as 're-adjust', though the standard spelling is solid.
- Using it for a major overhaul rather than a minor correction.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'readjust' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Adjust' means to make something fit, suit, or match a new condition for the first time. 'Readjust' implies it was already adjusted correctly once, but due to a change, it needs to be adjusted again, often in a minor way.
No. When used transitively (with a direct object), no preposition is needed: 'readjust the mirror'. When used intransitively to mean 'adapt psychologically', it requires 'to': 'readjust to normal life'.
Yes, very commonly. It frequently describes the psychological process of adaptation: 'He readjusted well to university.'
No, the standard pronunciation has a schwa in the second syllable: /ˌriːəˈdʒʌst/. Pronouncing it as 're-AD-just' is a common error.