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adjustable
/əˈdʒʌstəbəl/
able to be changed
The office chair has an adjustable seat height for comfort.
The seat height can be easily changed to fit the person sitting in it.
informal
Capable of being moved, altered, or modified to suit different needs, sizes, or positions.
He bought an adjustable wrench to fit nuts and bolts of various sizes.
He bought a tool whose jaw size can be changed to fit different metal parts.
Commonly describes physical objects, tools, furniture, or clothing features.
Finance
technical
Subject to change according to an index, benchmark, or market condition.
An adjustable interest rate fluctuates over the term of the loan.
An interest rate that changes periodically based on financial market trends.
Frequently used in banking, mortgages, and loans.
Collocations
adjustable ratea variable financial percentage feeadjustable strapa flexible fastening bandadjustable heighta vertical position that can be alteredadjustable wrencha hand tool with variable jaw capacity
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Adjustable vs. Flexible
'Adjustable' usually implies a mechanism or setting designed to change (like an adjustable belt or chair height), whereas 'flexible' often refers to a physical property of bending without breaking or a person's adaptable personality.
Gold Rule
Keep the root intact
When adding '-able' to 'adjust', do not change any letters in the root word: adjust + able = adjustable.
Word Origin
Formed from the verb 'adjust' (from French 'ajuster', meaning to arrange or fit) combined with the English suffix '-able' (capable of being).
Usage Notes
Use 'adjustable' when a specific mechanical feature or setting allows alteration. Compare with 'flexible', which describes material elasticity or general adaptability rather than built-in settings.
Word Breakdown
adjust
to fit or alter
root-able
capable of being
suffixEnglish Dictionary