adjustable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "adjustable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that can be adjusted or changed to fit a different purpose or situation. For example: The chair features adjustable armrests, allowing you to customize it to your needs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

There Ive designed the Macintosh Folio tablet concept for Apple, which had a stylus and an adjustable angled screen, as well as a sink, toilet and bath for British bathroom firm Ideal Standard.

The Guardian - Tech

The Nethrone goes further: it is an ergonomic seat in an adjustable chrome frame which doubles as a monitor stand.

The Economist

Sustainable Spaces, a company in San Francisco that assesses the environmental performance of houses, measures how airtight a home is using a device called a "calibrated blower door"—an adjustable barrier that suspends a powerful fan in a blocked doorway.

The Economist

Ms Bair does an especially good job of describing a wide array of toxic financial products, such as the hybrid adjustable rate mortgage.

The Economist

Ever since the post-war Bretton Woods system of fixed but adjustable exchange rates fell apart in the 1970s, academics have offered Utopian blueprints for a new version.

The Economist

He has also founded the Centre for Vision in the Developing World (CVDW), and produced more than 40,000 pairs of adjustable glasses.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Most other regimes are either less sophisticated, or they are hamstrung by non-adjustable capital charges that are set at a minimum by law.Then there is the Brussels hurdle.

The Economist

Mr Cagan marries the statistics and concludes that going by today's prices some 1.1m mortgages (or 13% of all adjustable-rate mortgages originated between 2004 and 2006), worth $326 billion, are heading for repossession in the next few years.

The Economist

Many European countries have adjustable-rate mortgages that move in step with changes in official interest rates: two-thirds of the outstanding mortgages in Britain, for example, are of this kind.

The Economist

Losses at Danish mortgage banks remained low and there was plenty of liquidity throughout the crisis.The Danish system, like the American one, also protects borrowers from interest-rate risk by offering long-term fixed-rate mortgages (although adjustable-rate mortgages were spreading fast before the crisis).

The Economist

Other changes to the mortgage market, such as better underwriting, greater use of covered bonds and more adjustable-rate mortgages, would help reduce the need for a guarantee.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing features or products, use "adjustable" to highlight the ability to customize or modify them to suit individual needs. For example, "The chair features adjustable lumbar support."

Common error

Avoid using "adjustable" interchangeably with adjectives that imply different types of modification. "Adjustable" specifically refers to the ability to change something to fit a particular requirement. Do not confuse it with "adaptable", which suggests inherent flexibility, or "modifiable", which broadly means capable of being changed.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "adjustable" primarily functions to describe a noun that can be modified or changed. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates a capability of being adapted to different conditions or needs. Examples include "adjustable angled screen" and "adjustable glasses".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "adjustable" functions as an adjective that describes the capability of something to be modified or altered. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Usage analysis reveals that the term is primarily found in news and media contexts, denoting a neutral register. If you are looking for alternative terms, you can use similar words like "adaptable", "modifiable", and "customizable". To ensure proper usage, remember that "adjustable" indicates the specific ability to change something to fit a need, unlike other similar adjectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adaptable

Refers to the ability to modify to suit different conditions or purposes.

modifiable

Focuses on the capability of being changed or altered.

customizable

Highlights the ability to tailor something to individual preferences.

variable

Suggests something is subject to change or variation.

flexible

Emphasizes the capacity to bend or be easily modified.

tunable

Implies the ability to fine-tune or calibrate something.

alterable

Indicates something can be changed or altered.

reconfigurable

Suggests something can be rearranged or reconfigured.

convertible

Highlights the capability to be transformed or converted into something else.

malleable

Emphasizes the ability to be shaped or molded easily.

FAQs

How is "adjustable" used in a sentence?

The adjective "adjustable" describes something capable of being changed or modified. For example, "This wrench has an "adjustable head" to fit different sizes of nuts and bolts."

What are some synonyms for "adjustable"?

Synonyms for "adjustable" include "adaptable", "modifiable", and "customizable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "highly adjustable"?

Yes, "highly adjustable" is correct and emphasizes a wide range of adjustability. For example, "This camera lens is "highly adjustable", allowing for precise focus and zoom."

What is the difference between "adjustable" and "fixed"?

"Adjustable" means capable of being changed, while "fixed" means not capable of being changed. An "adjustable rate" mortgage, for instance, has an interest rate that can change, whereas a "fixed-rate" mortgage has an interest rate that remains constant.