Adjustable describes something designed to be altered or adapted to different sizes or conditions. It implies variable settings or positions, enabling individualized fit or function. The term combines the idea of adjustment with feasibility, suggesting a mechanism that can be changed without replacement.
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- Think of the word as a sequence of syllables a-djus-ta-ble. If you’re not placing stress on the second syllable, you’ll sound flat; practice with a strong but not exaggerated emphasis on the /ˈdʒʌ/ or /ˈdʒə/ portion. - The /dʒ/ in /dʒuː/ can be mispronounced as /dʒ/ followed by a soft /s/; keep the /t/ silent or separate as /s/ depending on dialect when connecting to the next syllable. - The final -ble often becomes a light /bəl/ rather than a crisp /bl̩/; keep your lips lightly closed for /b/ and allow a clean, soft /l/ at the end. - When speaking quickly, the unstressed vowels reduce; aim for the neutral schwa /ə/ in the first and third syllables instead of a full vowel.
- US: clear /ˈæ/ or /əˈdʒʌs.tə.bəl/ depending on speaker; maintain rhotics in related phrases without affecting the word. - UK: /əˈdʒʌs.tə.bəl/ with crisper /t/ before -a-ble and a slightly longer /ə/ in the first syllable. - AU: similar to US but may show more vowel reduction in rapid speech; ensure the /dʒ/ remains crisp; keep rhotics subtle but natural in connected speech.
"The chair has an adjustable backrest to support you comfortably."
"We fitted an adjustable strap so the bag could be worn across different body shapes."
"The camera tripod is adjustable, allowing you to set the height precisely."
"Only affordable and adjustable models were selected for the rental fleet."
The word adjustable comes from the verb adjust, which derives from the Old French ajuster, meaning to attach or attach in a position, and from the Latin ad- ‘toward’ + iustus ‘just, fitting’ (leading to the sense of making suitable or proper). The noun form adjustment appears in English by the 15th century, while the sense of something capable of being altered developed in the 17th–18th centuries with technical usage across carpentry, mechanics, and later general consumer products. The modern sense of devices featuring tunable or modifiable settings emerged with the rise of mass production and engineering, especially in furniture, machinery, and later electronics. The prefix ad- commonly merges with j- due to phonological assimilation, producing “adjust-” with a soft, near-silent d following a short, stress-bearing vowel. First known uses appear in technical manuals and treatises of the late Middle Ages through the early modern period, expanding as industry demanded reproducible, adaptable components.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "adjustable" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "adjustable" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "adjustable" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "adjustable"
-ble sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
You pronounce it as /əˈdʒᴧs.tə.bəl/ (US: /əˈdʒʌs.tə.bəl/). Put primary stress on the second syllable: a-DJUS-ta-ble. The first syllable is a weak schwa, the second features the /dʒ/ sound as in 'judge', and the final -ble rhymes with 'bəl' as in 'stable' but with a light schwa before the l. Practice by saying: a-DJUS-ta-ble, isolating the second syllable with clear /dʒ/ and a soft, relaxed ending.
Common mistakes include misplacing the stress (saying a-jus-TA-ble or ad-just-a-ble with even stress), mispronouncing the /dʒ/ as /tʃ/ (tj- to ch-), and softening the final /l/ into a vowel or a dark L. Correct by emphasizing the second syllable with /dʒ/ and keeping the final /l/ light and syllabic or fully pronounced depending on rhythm. Also ensure the first syllable uses a clear schwa /ə/ rather than a full vowel. A quick check: /əˈdʒʌs.tə.bəl/.
In US English, the second syllable often has a central vowel /ə/ or /ʌ/, with rhotic/ r-coloring not affecting preceding syllables. UK English tends to a slightly closer /ʌ/ in the second syllable and a crisper /t/ before the -able, with non-rhoticity not impacting the /l/ much. Australian English generally shows vowel height variability, with a more centralized /ə/ in the first syllable and a light, non-rhotic /l/ at the end. Across all, the /dʒ/ remains constant and the stress on the second syllable is preserved.
Key challenges include the /dʒ/ cluster immediately after a stressed syllable boundary and the subtle reduction of vowels in unstressed syllables (the first /ə/ and the /ə/ before final -ble). The ending /bəl/ requires balancing a bilabial stop with a light, syllabic L, which can blur in rapid speech. Focusing on the distinct /dʒ/ sound and keeping the final /l/ crisp helps stability across contexts.
Yes—the transition from /ɪ/ or /ʌ/ vowel in some dialects to the /ə/ in the first and third syllables, and the fact that -ble ends with a voiced bilabial fricative-like closure before the /l/, can cause carryover errors. Emphasize the schwa in the first syllable and practice the /dʒ/ cluster clearly to ensure the second syllable remains prominent.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "adjustable"!
- Shadowing: listen to a native speaker saying adjustable and repeat in real time, matching tempo and intonation. - Minimal pairs: practice with 'adjust', 'adjective' and 'adjustable' to feel the added syllable and stress shift. - Rhythm: mark the beat: a-DJUS-ta-ble; slow down to say each syllable clearly, then speed up gradually while maintaining the second syllable peak. - Stress practice: place primary stress on the second syllable and secondary stress lightly on the first. - Recording: record yourself reading product descriptions and compare to a native pronouncer, adjusting for /dʒ/ clarity and final /l/ crispness.
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