Rejig vs. Rejigger — What's the Difference?

Rejig is a verb used to describe the process of rearranging, modifying, or altering something to make it work better or fit new circumstances. It's often used in both formal and informal contexts. For example, you might rejig a meeting schedule to accommodate everyone's availability. Rejigger, on the other hand, is a more informal version of rejig, carrying the same fundamental meaning of making adjustments or modifications. It suggests a lighter or more casual approach to changes. For instance, you might rejigger the recipe by tweaking the ingredients slightly.

Rejig tends to be more common in British English, whereas rejigger is more frequently used in American English. This distinction reflects slight regional preferences in the usage of these terms, though both are understood in either dialect.

While rejig can apply to a variety of contexts including business, schedules, or plans, rejigger is often used in everyday conversation to indicate minor adjustments or fixes, emphasizing a more hands-on, practical approach.

Rejig might be used in more structured environments where formal adjustments are needed, such as corporate settings or official documents. In contrast, rejigger finds its place in more casual settings, where quick and informal changes are discussed.

Rejig conveys a sense of thoughtful reorganization, suggesting a more strategic and considered approach to making changes. Rejigger, by contrast, implies a quicker, more ad-hoc set of modifications, reflecting a more spontaneous reaction to a problem or need.

Both terms ultimately serve the purpose of describing the act of changing something, but the choice between them can signal the level of formality and the nature of the adjustment being made.