Adjustable

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Capable of being modified or changed to suit different conditions or requirements
2. Able to be altered or modified to accommodate varying needs or circumstances
3. Having the potential to be changed or tailored for specific situations or preferences

Etymology: "Adjustable" is a plain compound of "adjust" and the suffix "-able", meaning "capable of being" something. The suffix has a long lineage: Latin "-bilis" and "-ābilis" (the latter attached to verb stems) passed through Old French "-able" into Middle English, where it became a productive English ending that could be attached to almost any verb. "Adjust" itself comes from Latin "adjustare", built from "ad-" (toward) and "justus" (just, right, fitting), so its core sense is bringing something into proper fit or line. An adjustable object is therefore one that can be brought back into right proportion, which is why the word suits a chair, a strap or a rule that can be set to suit a user.

Synonyms: modifiable, flexible

Antonyms: fixed, rigid