What does readjust mean?
Readjust means to adjust something again or bring it back into a suitable condition, usually after circumstances have changed. It is used for practical corrections such as altering a budget, repositioning equipment, revising expectations, or changing settings that no longer work as intended. The verb can also describe a person adapting to new conditions: "readjust oneself" means regain one's balance or adjust to altered circumstances. Although closely related to adjust, readjust gives the stronger impression that an earlier adjustment has been disturbed or overtaken by events. The word appears frequently in professional, technical, financial, and editorial contexts, but it is fully understandable in general English. It is especially useful when the act of changing something is not the first one: the original arrangement existed, conditions changed, and a further adjustment is required to restore order or effectiveness.
verbTo adjust or change something again, especially in response to new circumstances or to restore a previous condition.
- To modify or correct something again in response to changed circumstances.
- To adapt oneself to new conditions or regain a former position, balance, or state.
"After the merger, the two departments had to readjust their budgets."
"You may need to readjust the lens when switching between different subjects."
"It took the athlete several minutes to readjust after returning from the injury."
Readjust is the quietly useful verb for fixing what changed after the change itself was over.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does readjust come from?
Readjust was formed in English by combining the prefix re- with adjust, and the verb is recorded in English by the 17th century. Adjust comes through Old French adjuster and Medieval Latin adjustare, ultimately associated with Latin ad-, meaning "to," and justus, meaning "just" or "fitting." Its relatives include adjustment, adjuster, and just, all of which reflect this broader family of meanings involving fitting or making suitable.
Related word forms
How readjust is actually used
Readjust is neutral in register and common in professional, technical, and editorial contexts. It is especially frequent when a previous arrangement has proved unsuitable. The expression "readjust oneself" can sound formal but is also widely understood in everyday speech.
Easily confused with readjust
Adjust can refer to a first or subsequent modification, whereas readjust more clearly implies adjusting something again after it has already been changed or disrupted.