readjustment
C1-C2 / Low-frequencyFormal to Neutral. Common in administrative, psychological, and technical contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The process of making changes to something so that it fits, works, or is suitable in a new or different situation.
A psychological or emotional adaptation to a significant change in circumstances, or a minor physical correction to an object or setting.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a deliberate or necessary process of fine-tuning rather than a fundamental overhaul. Can refer to internal (psychological) or external (systematic) processes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is broadly identical. British English may show a slight preference for 'readjustment' in bureaucratic contexts (e.g., 'benefits readjustment'), while American English might use it more in corporate or psychological settings.
Connotations
Neutral to slightly formal. In both varieties, it suggests a necessary, often ongoing, corrective process.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in written English than in casual speech in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[readjustment of + NOUN][readjustment to + NOUN/GERUND][readjustment + PREMODIFIER (e.g., constant, major)]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A period of readjustment”
- “To be in readjustment mode”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The merger necessitated a significant readjustment of departmental budgets.
Academic
The study measured cognitive readjustment in subjects following sensory deprivation.
Everyday
Moving to a new country requires a long period of readjustment.
Technical
The mechanic performed a readjustment of the carburettor's air-fuel mixture.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The company will readjust its projections after the quarterly review.
- It took her years to readjust to civilian life.
American English
- We need to readjust the focus on the microscope.
- Veterans often readjust their career goals after service.
adverb
British English
- The policy was readjustably designed to accommodate future changes.
American English
- The quotas can be changed readjustably based on performance.
adjective
British English
- The readjustment period was challenging for the entire team.
American English
- She offered some helpful readjustment strategies.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The screen needs a small readjustment.
- After his holiday, he needed a day for readjustment to work.
- The peace treaty led to a major political readjustment in the region.
- Therapy can help with the emotional readjustment after a loss.
- The fiscal readjustment imposed by the central bank triggered a short-term market contraction.
- Her research focuses on the sociological readjustment of repatriated expatriates.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-ADJUST-MENT. You have to ADJUST something again (RE-) to get to the right state (the -MENT makes it the noun for this process).
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY REQUIRING NAVIGATION. Readjustment is 'recalculating the route' or 'correcting the course'.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'регулировкой' (regulation/control) или 'исправлением' (correction of an error). 'Readjustment' — это 'перенастройка' или 'приспособление к новым условиям', часто процесс, а не разовое действие.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'reajustment'.
- Using it as a verb (the verb is 'readjust').
- Confusing it with 'adjustment' (readjustment implies a previous adjustment was insufficient or circumstances changed again).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'readjustment' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Adjustment' is the initial act of adapting or altering. 'Readjustment' implies doing it again, often because the first adjustment was not perfect or because conditions have changed further.
It is generally neutral, describing a process. The connotation depends on context: a 'difficult readjustment' is negative, while a 'necessary readjustment' is neutral/positive.
Yes, it is commonly used to describe psychological or lifestyle adaptation, e.g., 'readjustment to living alone'.
The standard modern spelling is without a hyphen: 'readjustment'. A hyphen might be used in very formal or legal texts for absolute clarity, but it is rare.
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