adjust and set share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. adjust means “alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard”. set means “put into a certain place or abstract location”. set is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/əˈdʒʌst/
1.v.alter or regulate so as to achieve accuracy or conform to a standard
“Adjust the clock, please”
2.v.place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight
“align the car with the curb”
3.v.adapt or conform oneself to new or different conditions
“We must adjust to the bad economic situation”
/ˈsɛt/
1.v.put into a certain place or abstract location
“Put your things here”
2.v.fix conclusively or authoritatively
“set the rules”
3.v.decide upon or fix definitely
“fix the variables”
| adjust | set | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /əˈdʒʌst/ | /ˈsɛt/ |
| Said | uh-JUHST | set |
| Syllables | 2 | 1 |
| Letters | 6 | 3 |
| Parts of speech | verb | verb, noun, adjective |
| Senses | 5 | 45 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | set, correct | put, place, pose |
Full entry for adjust · Full entry for set · More comparisons