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to change (something) so that it fits, corresponds, or conforms; adapt; accommodate:
to adjust expenses to income.
to put in good working order; regulate; bring to a proper state or position:
to adjust an instrument.
to settle or bring to a satisfactory state, so that parties are agreed in the result:
to adjust our differences.
Insurance. to determine the amount to be paid in settlement of (a claim).
to systematize.
Military. to correct the elevation or deflection of (a gun).
to adapt oneself; become adapted:
They had no problems in adjusting at the new school.
Contemporary Examples

Joan attempts to adjust to maternity leave and the demands of raising a baby while her husband, Greg, is away at war.
‘Mad Men’ Returns: A Recap of Season Five Jace Lacob April 4, 2013

You settle on the price, and then, when the inspector says the roof is pretty much done, you adjust the price accordingly.
Let’s All Stop Feeling Sorry for JPMorgan Chase Having to Pay Billions Daniel Gross October 20, 2013

That is, the rest of the P5 had to adjust to what was politically acceptable to the Obama administration.
The Blame Game Trita Parsi June 28, 2012

Where videogames have an edge on Sudoku is in their ability to adjust to the skill of the player.
Videogames May Improve Brain Function in Older Adults Josh Dzieza September 8, 2013

Many of the boys had been drugged or tricked into coming to the center, and to watch them adjust was very difficult.
China Doesn’t Want You to See the Internet Addiction Film ‘Web Junkie’ Shosh Shlam and Hilla Medalia August 8, 2014

Historical Examples

Plantamour found it impracticable to adjust a disk until the times of swing about each knife edge were equal.
Smithsonian Institution – United States National Museum – Bulletin 240 Anonymous

Miss Jennie sank gracefully into her own, and allowed him to adjust the wraps around her.
A Woman Intervenes Robert Barr

In order to adjust matters there is a tendency in some quarters to belittle the work of the great Josiah.
Chats on Old Earthenware Arthur Hayden

He learned to adjust himself in many ways to his new mode of life.
White Fang Jack London

Any schoolboy could adjust a piece of string to act unfailingly.
Number Seventeen Louis Tracy

verb
(transitive) to alter slightly, esp to achieve accuracy; regulate: to adjust the television
to adapt, as to a new environment, etc
(transitive) to put into order
(transitive) (insurance) to determine the amount payable in settlement of (a claim)
v.

late 14c., ajusten, “to correct, remedy;” reborrowed by c.1600 in sense “arrange, settle, compose,” from Middle French adjuster, Old French ajouter “to join” (12c.), from Late Latin adjuxtare “to bring near,” from Latin ad- “to” (see ad-) + juxta “next,” related to jungere “to join” (see jugular).

Influenced by folk etymology derivation from Latin iustus “just, equitable, fair.” Meaning “to arrange (something) so as to conform with (a standard or another thing)” is from 1660s. Insurance sense is from 1755. Meaning “to get used to” first recorded 1924. Related: Adjusted; adjusting.

adjust ad·just (ə-jŭst’)
v. ad·just·ed, ad·just·ing, ad·justs

To bring into proper relationship.

To treat disorders of the spine by correcting slight dislocations between vertebrae using chiropractic techniques.