adjustable

adjustable — adjective

1. describes something whose position, size, or settings you can move or alter so i

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes something whose position, size, or settings you can move or alter so it works well for different people, bodies, or situations.

Example

Zara bought an office chair with an adjustable seat and armrests.

adjustable + noun describing furniture parts

The straps on this backpack are adjustable, so it fits both children and adults.

[noun] + is + adjustable explaining fit

Common collocations
  • adjustable strap
  • adjustable seat
  • adjustable height
  • adjustable shelf
  • fully adjustable
  • easily adjustable
Synonyms
  • adaptable

    broader; suggests something can change to suit new conditions, not just be physically moved

  • flexible

    often used for plans, schedules, or rules rather than physical objects

  • variable

    more technical; emphasizes that a value or setting is not fixed

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

adjustable + noun

[noun] + is + adjustable

Usage Note

Frequently appears before concrete nouns naming a movable part (strap, shelf, seat, height, arm). When used after the verb 'be', it usually answers a practical question about whether something will fit a person, room, or task.

Common Mistakes

The price is adjustable to your budget.
The price can be negotiated to suit your budget.
'adjustable' usually describes physical objects or settings, not prices in everyday English.
My schedule is very adjustable this week.
My schedule is very flexible this week.
for time and plans, prefer 'flexible'.

Word family

  • adjust
    verbB2
  • adjustment
    nounB2
  • readjust
    verbC1
  • unadjustable
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four describe something that is not fixed, but they are not interchangeable. 'Adjustable' is the most physical: it usually points to a part you can move or set, like an adjustable strap or an adjustable seat. 'Adaptable' is broader and more abstract; it suggests that a person, animal, or system can change to handle new situations, as in 'an adaptable team member'. 'Flexible' is the everyday choice for plans, rules, and schedules — 'flexible working hours' sounds natural, while 'adjustable working hours' sounds odd. 'Variable' is more technical and often appears with measurements or settings, like 'variable speed' on a fan. So you might say: 'The chair is adjustable, my schedule is flexible, my new colleague is adaptable, and the fan has variable speeds.'

adjustableadaptableflexiblevariable

Common collocations

Nouns

  • strap
  • seat
  • shelf
  • height
  • arm
  • band
  • rate
  • wrench

Adverbs

  • fully adjustable
  • easily adjustable
  • infinitely adjustable
  • individually adjustable

Phrases

  • adjustable in height
  • adjustable from X to Y

Prepositions

  • adjustable to (a height/length)
  • adjustable for (a person/use)

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Formed in English from the verb 'adjust' plus the suffix '-able', meaning 'able to be adjusted'. 'Adjust' itself came into English in the early 1600s from Old French 'ajuster', which traces back to Late Latin 'ad-' (to) and 'iuxta' (near, close), with the original idea of bringing two things close together so they fit. The '-able' ending is a productive English suffix borrowed from French and Latin, used to form adjectives meaning 'capable of being [verbed]'.