2 → see also well-adjusted
3 VERB If you adjust something, you change it so that it is more effective or appropriate. □ [V n] To attract investors, the government has adjusted its tax and labour laws.
4 VERB If you adjust something such as your clothing or a machine, you correct or alter its position or setting. □ [V n] Liz adjusted her mirror and then edged the car out of its parking bay.
5 VERB If you adjust your vision or if your vision adjusts , the muscles of your eye or the pupils alter to cope with changes in light or distance. □ [V n] He stopped to try to adjust his vision to the faint starlight. □ [V ] We stood in the doorway until our eyes adjusted. SYNONYMS adjust VERB
1
adapt: They have had to adapt themselves to a war economy.
accommodate: Some animal and plant species cannot accommodate to the rapidly changing conditions.
get used: This is how we do things here. You'll soon get used to it.
accustom: The team has accustomed itself to the pace of first division rugby.
3
alter: They have never altered their programmes by a single day.
adapt: Shelves were built to adapt the library for use as an office.
revise: The staff should work together to revise the school curriculum.
modify: The club members did agree to modify their recruitment policy.
amend: The president agreed to amend the constitution and allow multi-party elections.
ad|just|able /ədʒʌ stəb ə l/ ADJ If something is adjustable , it can be changed to different positions or sizes. □ The bags have adjustable shoulder straps. □ The seats are fully adjustable.
ad|just|er /ədʒʌ stə r / (adjusters ) also adjustor
1 N‑COUNT An adjuster is a device which allows you to alter a piece of equipment's position or setting. □ …a seat belt adjuster.
2 → see also loss adjuster
ad|just|ment /ədʒʌ stmənt/ (adjustments )
1 N‑COUNT An adjustment is a small change that is made to something such as a machine or a way of doing something. □ [+ to ] Compensation could be made by adjustments to taxation. □ [+ for ] Investment is up by 5.7% after adjustment for inflation. [Also + in ]
2 N‑COUNT An adjustment is a change in a person's behaviour or thinking. □ [+ to ] He will have to make major adjustments to his thinking if he is to survive in office.
ad|ju|tant /æ dʒʊtənt/ (adjutants ) N‑COUNT An adjutant is an officer in the army who deals with administrative work.
a d-li b (ad-libs , ad-libbing , ad-libbed ) also ad lib
1 VERB If you ad-lib something in a play or a speech, you say something which has not been planned or written beforehand. □ [V n] He began comically ad-libbing a script. □ [V n] He's good at ad-libbing his way out of trouble. □ [V ] He is rather disjointed when he ad-libs. □ [V -ed] …ad-libbed phrases.
2 N‑COUNT An ad-lib is something which is said without having been planned or written beforehand. □ Every time I fluffed a line Lenny got me out of trouble with a brilliant ad-lib. ● ADV [ADV after v] Ad lib is also an adverb. □ I spoke from the pulpit ad lib.
ad|man /æ dmæn/ (admen ) N‑COUNT An adman is someone who works in advertising. [INFORMAL ]
ad|min /æ dm I n/ N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Admin is the activity or process of organizing an institution or organization. [INFORMAL ] □ I have two assistants who help with the admin.
ad|min|is|ter /ædm I n I stə r / (administers , administering , administered )
1 VERB If someone administers something such as a country, the law, or a test, they take responsibility for organizing and supervising it. □ [V n] The plan calls for the U.N. to administer the country until elections can be held. [Also V n to n]
2 VERB If a doctor or a nurse administers a drug, they give it to a patient. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Paramedics are trained to administer certain drugs. [Also V n + to ]
ad|min|is|tra|tion ◆◆◇ /ædm I n I stre I ʃ ə n/ (administrations )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Administration is the range of activities connected with organizing and supervising the way that an organization or institution functions. □ Too much time is spent on administration. □ …a master's degree in business administration.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The administration of something is the process of organizing and supervising it. □ [+ of ] Standards in the administration of justice have degenerated.
3 N‑SING [usu n N ] The administration of a company or institution is the group of people who organize and supervise it. □ … a member of the college administration.
4 N‑COUNT You can refer to a country's government as the administration ; used especially in the United States. SYNONYMS administration NOUN 2
management: The dispute is about the management of the mining industry.
government: The first four years of government were completely disastrous.
controclass="underline" The restructuring involves Mr Ronson giving up control of the company.
running: …the committee in charge of the day-to-day running of the party.
ad|min|is|tra|tive /ædm I n I strət I v, [AM ] -stre I t-/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Administrative work involves organizing and supervising an organization or institution. □ Other industries have had to sack managers to reduce administrative costs.