Adjunct: meaning, definitions and examples

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adjunct

[ˈædʒʌŋkt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

employment

A person who is hired temporarily or on a part-time basis to assist with specific tasks.

Synonyms

part-time employee, temporary worker.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
adjunct	Refers to something that is added as a supplementary part rather than an essential part, not necessarily related to employment. The diet was an adjunct to her fitness routine The new software served as an adjunct to the existing system
temporary worker	Describes someone hired to fill a position for a limited time, often through a staffing agency, and typically without job security or benefits. The factory brought in temporary workers to handle the holiday rush After the project was completed, the temporary workers were let go
part-time employee	Used to describe someone who works fewer hours than a full-time employee, common in various industries beyond academia. She works as a part-time employee at the retail store The company is hiring part-time employees for the holiday season

Word

Description / Examples

adjunct

Refers to something that is added as a supplementary part rather than an essential part, not necessarily related to employment.

The diet was an adjunct to her fitness routine
The new software served as an adjunct to the existing system

temporary worker

Describes someone hired to fill a position for a limited time, often through a staffing agency, and typically without job security or benefits.

The factory brought in temporary workers to handle the holiday rush
After the project was completed, the temporary workers were let go

part-time employee

Used to describe someone who works fewer hours than a full-time employee, common in various industries beyond academia.

She works as a part-time employee at the retail store
The company is hiring part-time employees for the holiday season

Examples of usage

He worked as an adjunct professor at the university.
The company hired several adjunct employees for the busy season.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

linguistics

A word or phrase that adds information to the main part of a sentence but can be removed without making the sentence grammatically incorrect.

Synonyms

modifier, supplement.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
adjunct	Use 'adjunct' when referring to something added to another thing but not essential to it. This is often used in academic or professional settings. The professor works at the university as an adjunct faculty member. Her role as an adjunct therapist complements the primary care provided by the hospital.
modifier	Use 'modifier' in grammatical contexts to describe a word, especially an adjective or adverb, that alters or adds to the meaning of another word. Also, it can refer to secondary factors that change outcomes or processes. In the sentence 'the red car', 'red' is a modifier. Speed is a major modifier in the effectiveness of this procedure.
supplement	Use 'supplement' to describe something added to complete or enhance something else. It often has the implication of adding necessary or beneficial elements. She takes vitamin supplements to improve her health. The teacher provided additional worksheets as a supplement to the textbook.

Word

Description / Examples

adjunct

Use 'adjunct' when referring to something added to another thing but not essential to it. This is often used in academic or professional settings.

The professor works at the university as an adjunct faculty member.
Her role as an adjunct therapist complements the primary care provided by the hospital.

modifier

Use 'modifier' in grammatical contexts to describe a word, especially an adjective or adverb, that alters or adds to the meaning of another word. Also, it can refer to secondary factors that change outcomes or processes.

In the sentence 'the red car', 'red' is a modifier.
Speed is a major modifier in the effectiveness of this procedure.

supplement

Use 'supplement' to describe something added to complete or enhance something else. It often has the implication of adding necessary or beneficial elements.

She takes vitamin supplements to improve her health.
The teacher provided additional worksheets as a supplement to the textbook.

Examples of usage

In the sentence 'John, who was wearing a blue shirt, went to the store,' the phrase 'who was wearing a blue shirt' is an adjunct.
She quickly left the room, without saying goodbye.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

anatomy

A structure that is joined to another larger structure but is not essential for the structure's function.

Synonyms

addition, attachment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
adjunct	Use 'adjunct' when referring to something added to another thing but not essential or when talking about a secondary position or role. The research lab employed adjunct faculty to manage the increasing number of students Yoga can serve as an adjunct to regular fitness routines
attachment	Use 'attachment' when something is physically connected or affixed to another object. It can also refer to emotional bonds. Please check your email for an attachment containing the report She felt a strong attachment to her childhood home
addition	Use 'addition' when something is being added to enhance or complete something else. It's typically used in more general contexts. The new addition to the house includes a sunroom The introduction of electric cars has been a valuable addition to the automobile industry

Word

Description / Examples

adjunct

Use 'adjunct' when referring to something added to another thing but not essential or when talking about a secondary position or role.

The research lab employed adjunct faculty to manage the increasing number of students
Yoga can serve as an adjunct to regular fitness routines

attachment

Use 'attachment' when something is physically connected or affixed to another object. It can also refer to emotional bonds.

Please check your email for an attachment containing the report
She felt a strong attachment to her childhood home

addition

Use 'addition' when something is being added to enhance or complete something else. It's typically used in more general contexts.

The new addition to the house includes a sunroom
The introduction of electric cars has been a valuable addition to the automobile industry

Examples of usage

The appendix is considered an adjunct to the digestive system.
The muscle attached to the bone serves as an adjunct to movement.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

This word comes from the Latin 'adjunctus', which means 'joined to'.
The prefix 'ad-' means 'to' or 'towards', and 'junctus' comes from 'jungere', which means 'to join'.
It has been used in the English language since the 16th century, primarily to describe additional elements.

Education

In academia, an adjunct is usually a part-time instructor who teaches alongside full-time faculty.
Adjunct faculty play a key role in universities, providing specialized knowledge in their fields without being full-time staff.
The number of adjunct professors has increased significantly in recent decades, reflecting changes in educational funding and structure.

Science

In linguistics, adjuncts are optional parts of a sentence that add extra information but are not necessary for the basic meaning.
In medical terms, adjunct therapy refers to additional treatment used alongside primary therapy to enhance its effectiveness.
In technology, adjunct systems can refer to supplementary software or hardware that enhances the functionality of primary systems.

Pop Culture

In films, an adjunct character might be the sidekick or friend who supports the main hero but is not the focus of the story.
TV shows often feature adjunct roles, like guest stars who appear for one or two episodes to add flair without being main cast members.
Adjuncts in music can refer to additional instruments or contributions that complement the main performers in a band.

Psychology

Adjunctive behavior in psychology refers to activities that occur in response to an operant conditioning process, often as a way to cope or fill time.
In therapy, adjunct techniques are additional strategies used alongside standard treatment to enhance patient outcomes.
Understanding adjunct roles in relationships can help recognize the importance of support systems in maintaining mental health.

Translations

Translations of the word "adjunct" in other languages:

🇵🇹 adjunto

🇮🇳 सहायक

🇩🇪 Beigefügt

🇮🇩 tambahan

🇺🇦 додатковий

🇵🇱 dodatkowy

🇯🇵 付属

🇫🇷 adjoint

🇪🇸 adjunto

🇹🇷 ek

🇰🇷 부속

🇸🇦 مساعد

🇨🇿 příloha

🇸🇰 prídavok

🇨🇳 附属

🇸🇮 dodatek

🇮🇸 viðauki

🇰🇿 қосымша

🇬🇪 დანართი

🇦🇿 əlavə

🇲🇽 adjunto

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,380, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
12377 fluctuating
12378 colder
12379 perilous
12380 adjunct
12381 evasion
12382 sera
12383 neuron
...