Adjust vs. Change — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 28, 2023
Adjust means to make minor modifications for a better fit or function, while Change refers to making something different or transitioning from one state to another.
Difference Between Adjust and Change
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Adjust and Change are both verbs, often used interchangeably, but they have nuanced differences in meaning and use. Adjust generally refers to the act of making minor alterations or modifications to better fit or function in a particular situation. On the other hand, Change implies a more significant alteration, shifting from one state or condition to another, often more drastic or profound.
When you Adjust something, you're often working within the same framework or system but making tweaks to improve its performance or suitability. For instance, you might adjust the settings on a device or adjust your schedule slightly. Change, however, might mean adopting a completely new system, approach, or condition. For example, changing one's career or changing the software one uses.
In the context of personal growth or behavior, to Adjust can mean to adapt or acclimatize to new situations or environments, making minor shifts in behavior or attitude. Change, in this context, might refer to a transformation or a complete overhaul of one's beliefs, habits, or behaviors.
Another way to understand the difference is by thinking about the scale and intent. Adjustments are often subtle, more targeted, and focused on optimization. They are fine-tunings. In contrast, Changes are broader, and they might replace or revamp an existing structure, idea, or condition completely.
Lastly, both Adjust and Change are essential for growth and progress. While Adjustments ensure that we stay relevant and efficient in existing systems or scenarios, Changes enable us to evolve, innovate, and transition into new possibilities or directions.
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Comparison Chart
Scale
Minor modifications or fine-tuning.
Significant alterations.
Nature
Tweaks within the same framework.
Transition to a different state.
Example
Adjusting volume on a device.
Changing the device itself.
In Personal Growth
Adaptation to new situations.
Transformation of habits or beliefs.
Goal
Optimization for better function.
Evolution or transition.
Compare with Definitions
Adjust
Make small alterations or modifications.
I had to adjust the straps of my backpack for a better fit.
Change
Make or become different.
Autumn is when the leaves change color.
Adjust
Adapt or become accustomed to a new condition or environment.
He quickly adjusted to college life.
Change
Replace something with something else.
I decided to change my shoes before going out.
Adjust
Correct or regulate (something) to achieve accuracy or a desired state.
I adjusted the thermostat to a warmer setting.
Change
Exchange one thing for another.
Can you change this $20 bill for two $10s?
Adjust
Alter in relation to something.
She adjusted her expectations for the project.
Change
To cause to be different; alter
We decided to change the color of the walls. You can't change the rules in the middle of the game.
Adjust
To move or change (something) so as to be in a more effective arrangement or desired condition
Adjust the timing of a car's engine.
Adjust a hearing aid to amplify lower frequencies.
Change
To give a completely different form or appearance to; transform
The new homeowners changed the yard into a garden.
Adjust
To change so as to be suitable to or conform with something else
Adjusted the schedule to allow for everyone's vacation plans.
Adjusted the old monetary figures to account for inflation.
Change
To give and receive reciprocally; interchange
Anne and I changed seats so that she could sit next to the aisle.
Adjust
In chiropractic medicine, to manipulate (the spine and other body structures) to treat disorders and restore normal function of the nervous system.
Change
To exchange for or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category
Change one's name.
A light that changes colors.
Adjust
To decide how much is to be paid on (an insurance claim).
Change
To lay aside, abandon, or leave for another; switch
Change methods.
Change sides.
Adjust
To become adapted or accustomed, as to a new situation
Have you adjusted to working with your new colleagues?.
Change
To transfer from (one conveyance) to another
In Chicago, we'll have to change planes.
Adjust
(transitive) To modify.
Morimoto's recipes are adjusted to suit the American palate.
Change
To give or receive the equivalent of (money) in lower denominations or in foreign currency
This machine will change dollar bills into coins. At the airport, the traveler changed British pounds into euros.
Adjust
(transitive) To improve or rectify.
He adjusted his initial conclusion to reflect the new data.
Change
To put fresh clothes or coverings on
It's your turn to change the baby. I'll show you how to change the bed.
Adjust
(transitive) To settle an insurance claim.
Change
To become different or undergo alteration
He changed as he matured. The town grew and changed over the years.
Adjust
(intransitive) To change to fit circumstances.
Most immigrants adjust quickly to a new community.
She waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness.
Change
To undergo transformation or transition
The music changed to a slow waltz.
Adjust
To make exact; to fit; to make correspondent or conformable; to bring into proper relations; as, to adjust a garment to the body, or things to a standard.
Change
To go from one phase to another, as the moon or the seasons.
Adjust
To put in order; to regulate, or reduce to system.
Adjusting the orthography.
Change
To make an exchange; switch
If you prefer this seat, I'll change with you.
Adjust
To settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result; as, to adjust accounts; the differences are adjusted.
Change
To transfer from one conveyance to another
She changed in Detroit on her way to California.
Adjust
To bring to a true relative position, as the parts of an instrument; to regulate for use; as, to adjust a telescope or microscope.
Change
To put on other clothing
We changed for dinner. They changed into work clothes.
Adjust
Alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard;
Adjust the clock, please
Correct the alignment of the front wheels
Change
To become deeper in tone
His voice began to change at age 13.
Adjust
Place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight;
Align the car with the curb
Align the sheets of paper on the table
Change
The act, process, or result of altering or modifying
A change in facial expression.
A last-minute change in the schedule.
Adjust
Adapt or conform oneself to new or different conditions;
We must adjust to the bad economic situation
Change
The replacing of one thing for another; substitution
A change of atmosphere.
A change of ownership.
Adjust
Make correspondent or conformable;
Adjust your eyes to the darkness
Change
A transformation or transition from one state, condition, or phase to another
The change of seasons.
Adjust
Decide how much is to be paid on an insurance claim
Change
Something different; variety
Ate early for a change.
Adjust
Arrange or position (something) again or differently.
He adjusted the pillow to support his neck.
Change
A different or fresh set of clothing
I brought along a change of shirts to the overnight party.
Change
Money of smaller denomination given or received in exchange for money of higher denomination
Will you give me change of four quarters for a dollar?.
Change
The balance of money returned when an amount given is more than what is due
I paid $3 for the coffee that cost $2.50, so I received 50 cents in change.
Change
Coins
Loose change was jingling in my pocket.
Change
A pattern or order in which bells are rung.
Change
In jazz, a change of harmony; a modulation.
Change
A market or exchange where business is transacted.
Change
(intransitive) To become something different.
The tadpole changed into a frog.
Stock prices are constantly changing.
Change
To make something into something else.
The fairy changed the frog into a prince.
I had to change the wording of the ad so it would fit.
Change
(transitive) To replace.
Ask the janitor to come and change the lightbulb.
After a brisk walk, I washed up and changed my shirt.
Change
(intransitive) To replace one's clothing.
You can't go into the dressing room while she's changing.
The clowns changed into their costumes before the circus started.
Change
(transitive) To replace the clothing of (the one wearing it).
It's your turn to change the baby.
Change
(intransitive) To transfer to another vehicle (train, bus, etc.)
Change
(archaic) To exchange.
Change
(transitive) To change hand while riding (a horse).
To change a horse
Change
The process of becoming different.
The product is undergoing a change in order to improve it.
Change
(uncountable) Small denominations of money given in exchange for a larger denomination.
Can I get change for this $100 bill please?
Change
(countable) A replacement.
A change of clothes
Change
(uncountable) Balance of money returned from the sum paid after deducting the price of a purchase.
A customer who pays with a 10-pound note for a £9 item receives one pound in change.
Change
(uncountable) An amount of cash, usually in the form of coins, but sometimes inclusive of paper money.
Do you have any change on you? I need to make a phone call.
This bus ride requires exact change.
Change
(countable) A transfer between vehicles.
The train journey from Bristol to Nottingham includes a change at Birmingham.
Change
(baseball) A change-up pitch.
Change
(campanology) Any order in which a number of bells are struck, other than that of the diatonic scale.
Change
A public house; an alehouse.
Change
To alter; to make different; to cause to pass from one state to another; as, to change the position, character, or appearance of a thing; to change the countenance.
Therefore will I change their glory into shame.
Change
To alter by substituting something else for, or by giving up for something else; as, to change the clothes; to change one's occupation; to change one's intention.
They that do change old love for new,Pray gods, they change for worse!
Change
To give and take reciprocally; to exchange; - followed by with; as, to change place, or hats, or money, with another.
Look upon those thousands with whom thou wouldst not, for any interest, change thy fortune and condition.
Change
Specifically: To give, or receive, smaller denominations of money (technically called change) for; as, to change a gold coin or a bank bill.
He pulled out a thirty-pound note and bid me change it.
Change
To be altered; to undergo variation; as, men sometimes change for the better.
For I am Lord, I change not.
Change
To pass from one phase to another; as, the moon changes to-morrow night.
Change
Any variation or alteration; a passing from one state or form to another; as, a change of countenance; a change of habits or principles.
Apprehensions of a change of dynasty.
All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Change
A succesion or substitution of one thing in the place of another; a difference; novelty; variety; as, a change of seasons.
Our fathers did for change to France repair.
The ringing grooves of change.
Change
A passing from one phase to another; as, a change of the moon.
Change
Alteration in the order of a series; permutation.
Change
That which makes a variety, or may be substituted for another.
Thirty change (R.V. changes) of garments.
Change
Small money; the money by means of which the larger coins and bank bills are made available in small dealings; hence, the balance returned when payment is tendered by a coin or note exceeding the sum due.
Change
A place where merchants and others meet to transact business; a building appropriated for mercantile transactions.
Change
A public house; an alehouse.
They call an alehouse a change.
Change
Any order in which a number of bells are struck, other than that of the diatonic scale.
Four bells admit twenty-four changes in ringing.
Change
An event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another;
The change was intended to increase sales
This storm is certainly a change for the worse
The neighborhood had undergone few modifications since his last visit years ago
Change
A relational difference between states; especially between states before and after some event;
He attributed the change to their marriage
Change
The action of changing something;
The change of government had no impact on the economy
His change on abortion cost him the election
Change
The result of alteration or modification;
There were marked changes in the lining of the lungs
There had been no change in the mountains
Change
The balance of money received when the amount you tender is greater than the amount due;
I paid with a twenty and pocketed the change
Change
A thing that is different;
He inspected several changes before selecting one
Change
A different or fresh set of clothes;
She brought a change in her overnight bag
Change
Coins of small denomination regarded collectively;
He had a pocketful of change
Change
Money received in return for its equivalent in a larger denomination or a different currency;
He got change for a twenty and used it to pay the taxi driver
Change
A difference that is usually pleasant;
He goes to France for variety
It is a refreshing change to meet a woman mechanic
Change
Undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature;
She changed completely as she grew older
The weather changed last night
Change
Cause to change; make different; cause a transformation;
The advent of the automobile may have altered the growth pattern of the city
The discussion has changed my thinking about the issue
Change
Make or become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence;
Her mood changes in accordance with the weather
The supermarket's selection of vegetables varies according to the season
Change
Lay aside, abandon, or leave for another;
Switch to a different brand of beer
She switched psychiatrists
The car changed lanes
Change
Change clothes; put on different clothes;
Change before you go to the opera
Change
Exchange or replace with another, usually of the same kind or category;
Could you convert my dollars into pounds?
He changed his name
Convert centimeters into inches
Convert holdings into shares
Change
Give to, and receive from, one another;
Would you change places with me?
We have been exchanging letters for a year
Change
Change from one vehicle or transportation line to another;
She changed in Chicago on her way to the East coast
Change
Become deeper in tone;
His voice began to change when he was 12 years old
Her voice deepened when she whispered the password
Change
Remove or replace the coverings of;
Father had to learn how to change the baby
After each guest we changed the bed linens
Change
Move from one to another.
She decided to change careers after a decade in finance.
Change
Undergo a transformation or transition.
The caterpillar will change into a butterfly.
Common Curiosities
Can a change be reverted easily?
Not always. Some changes are profound and can't be easily reverted, while others might be.
What does it mean to adjust something?
To adjust means to make minor modifications for a better fit or function.
How is adjust different from change?
Adjust refers to making minor alterations, while change implies a more significant transition or transformation.
Can adjust and change be used interchangeably?
While sometimes used interchangeably, they have different nuances; adjust usually means fine-tuning, and change often means a larger shift.
Is adjusting always a small alteration?
Typically, yes. Adjusting usually refers to minor tweaks or fine-tuning.
Can change be a noun?
Yes, change can be both a verb (to change) and a noun (a change).
Can adjust refer to personal behaviors?
Yes. One can adjust their behavior or attitude to better fit a situation.
Can you adjust to a change?
Yes, one can adjust (adapt) to a change or new situation.
When should I use adjust over change in a sentence?
Use adjust when referring to minor modifications and change for more significant shifts.
Can systems or processes be adjusted?
Yes. Systems or processes can be adjusted to improve efficiency or effectiveness.
Is adjusting always a positive action?
Not necessarily. Adjustments can be positive or negative depending on the context.
What can trigger a change?
Many things, including personal decisions, external events, or new information.
Are all changes noticeable?
No. Some changes are subtle and may not be immediately evident.
Is every change a result of an adjustment?
No. While adjustments can lead to changes, not every change is a result of an adjustment.
Can one change without adjusting?
Yes. Some changes occur spontaneously or drastically without any prior adjustments.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
