What does readjustment mean?
A readjustment is the process of changing or restoring something after a change has occurred. It commonly refers to returning to a previously suitable position, re-establishing balance, or adapting to new circumstances. The word is especially appropriate when an initial adjustment proves insufficient or when people need time to become accustomed to a changed situation: a workplace may provide a readjustment period after an organizational shift, while a returning professional may undergo readjustment to a familiar but altered environment. Unlike the broader word adjustment, readjustment carries a clear sense of renewal or second-stage correction. It is neutral in regional usage and appears in formal as well as professional contexts, though less often in casual conversation. Readjustment is therefore useful when precision matters: it distinguishes a fresh adaptation or restoration from an initial change and highlights the process of making something fit again.
nounThe act of adjusting something again, especially to restore a previous balance or to adapt to changed circumstances.
- A second or renewed adjustment, especially one that restores a previous balance or helps someone adapt to changed circumstances.
"The agreement gave both sides time for readjustment before negotiations resumed."
"The agreement gave both sides time for readjustment before negotiations resumed."
"Her return to the team required a period of readjustment to the team's faster pace."
The standard plural adds -s and is used when referring to multiple renewals, corrections, or restorations of balance.
"The policy underwent several readjustments as conditions changed."
A readjustment is the quiet aftermath of change: recalibrating what no longer fits.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does readjustment come from?
Readjustment is formed in English by adding the suffix -ment to readjust, a word built from the prefix re- and adjust. The prefix re- indicates that an adjustment is being made again, while adjust ultimately comes from Latin adjustare, meaning to set right or make close. The suffix -ment turns the action into a noun naming the process, and the compound developed within English through this transparent combination.
How readjustment is actually used
The word has a formal, relatively uncommon register. It is more specific than adjustment because it implies a return to balance, a renewed adaptation, or a correction made after an earlier change.
Easily confused with readjustment
An adjustment can be a general change or correction, whereas a readjustment specifically implies adjusting again after circumstances have already changed.