maladjustment
|mal/ad/just/ment|
/ˌmæləˈdʒʌstmənt/
(maladjust)
bad or failed adjustment / failure to adapt
Etymology
'maladjustment' is formed from the prefix 'mal-' (from Latin 'malus' meaning 'bad') + 'adjustment' (from the verb 'adjust' + suffix '-ment').
'adjust' comes from Old French 'ajuster' (to make just or fit), ultimately from Latin roots related to 'justus' (just). The negative prefix 'mal-' (Latin 'malus') was attached to form 'maladjust' and then 'maladjustment' in Modern English.
Originally a literal composition meaning 'bad or faulty adjustment', the word came to be used especially in psychology to denote a failure to adapt or an emotional/social disorder.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a lack of proper adjustment or adaptation to circumstances, conditions, or environment.
His maladjustment to city life made him feel isolated and anxious.
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Noun 2
in psychology, an inability to cope effectively with social or emotional demands; psychological maladjustment.
The counselor worked with teens experiencing maladjustment after parental divorce.
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Last updated: 2025/09/01 19:09