What does unadjusted mean?
Unadjusted describes something that has not been changed, corrected, calibrated, or otherwise adapted from its original condition. In ordinary contexts, it is often interchangeable with raw, unaltered, or unmodified, though it can sound more technical and imply that some later modification or normalization might be expected. The word is especially common in data analysis, accounting, and finance: unadjusted earnings, figures, or results are presented before one-off items, seasonal effects, or other corrections are taken into account. It can also refer to physical settings or processes that have not been calibrated. Using the word signals attention to the original state and can therefore be useful when discussing transparency, comparability, and the distinction between reported and underlying values. Its meaning is stable across British and American English, while its strongest use is technical or professional rather than conversational.
adjectiveNot adjusted, corrected, calibrated, or otherwise modified; left in its original or unaltered state.
- Not changed, corrected, calibrated, or otherwise modified from its original condition.
- In finance and accounting, presented before one-off items, seasonal effects, or other corrections are taken into account.
- In data analysis or measurement, not normalized, recalibrated, or adjusted for comparison.
"The report presents unadjusted figures, making it easier to see the underlying trend."
"The researchers published the unadjusted results before applying a correction for the unusually warm winter."
"The brightness remained unadjusted, so the image retained the shadows and highlights of the original scene."
Unadjusted keeps a result in its raw state, making it a useful reminder to distinguish original data from data that has been corrected, normalized, or otherwise refined.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unadjusted come from?
The English adjective is formed with the negative prefix un- and the past participle adjusted, meaning “not adjusted.” The root adjust comes through Middle English and Old French from Latin adjustare, originally meaning “to make close or fit”; related English forms include adjustment and adjustable. The prefix un- has long been used in English to form negatives, so unadjusted follows the ordinary English pattern of negation.
How unadjusted is actually used
The term is most common in technical, statistical, financial, and professional contexts. It can sound more formal or specialized than everyday alternatives such as “raw” or “unaltered.” Its core meaning is stable in British and American English.
Easily confused with unadjusted
“Adjusted” means modified or corrected after an initial value or condition, whereas “unadjusted” means that no such modification has been made.