What it means
- (verb) To postpone. “The trial was adjourned for a week.”
- (verb) To defer; to put off temporarily or indefinitely.
- (verb) To end or suspend an event. “The court will adjourn for lunch.”
- (verb) To move as a group from one place to another. “After the dinner, we will adjourn to the bar.”
Word notes
During the meeting, the chairperson decided to adjourn when it became clear that further discussion would be unproductive. Used as a verb, it signifies the act of postponing or pausing an event or gathering, often until a later time. This term frequently finds its place in legal contexts, such as 'adjourn the court,' and in formal settings like conferences or legislative sessions. Phrases like 'adjourn for lunch' or 'adjourn the meeting' illustrate its practical usage.
The word appears commonly in professional environments where formal gatherings are routine. In legal settings, judges often announce an adjournment at the end of a court session. Additionally, it may be found in academic contexts, where a professor might say, 'We will adjourn class until next week.' It creates an impression of structure and order, making it a key term in managing time during events.
For word enthusiasts, 'adjourn' scores 15 points in Scrabble, making it a decent choice for gameplay. With seven letters, it fits well into Wordle's requirements. The word contains common bigrams, such as 'ad' and 'ur,' and offers several sub-words like 'around,' 'adorn,' and 'road.' This versatility can be advantageous in various word puzzles and games.
The term 'adjourn' traces its origins to the Old French word 'ajourner,' which means 'to put off until the next day.' This usage appeared in English during the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century. The transition into contemporary English maintained its essence of postponement but has broadened to include various formal contexts. The plural form is not applicable, as it functions solely as a verb. Its historical roots underscore its longstanding role in managing time and structure in both social and professional interactions.
Using Adjourn in a sentence
- The committee plans to adjourn the session until next week.
- After a lengthy debate, the board decided to adjourn the meeting for further discussion.
- In court, the judge might say, 'We will adjourn until tomorrow.'
- As the clock struck five, the speaker announced, 'Let's adjourn until the next session.'
Origin of Adjourn
The term 'adjourn' originates from the Old French 'ajourner,' which means 'to put off until the next day.' This word entered the English language during the late Middle Ages, around the 14th century. Over time, its meaning evolved to encompass various formal settings where events or sessions are postponed. The precise origin is debated.
Letter analysis
- Adjourn contains 7 letters: 3 vowel(s) and 4 consonant(s).
- It uses 7 unique letters.
- Estimated syllable count: 2.
- Scrabble-style letter score: 15.
Sub-words
Related words
Other 7-letter words
- abalone
- abandon
- abashed
- abashes
- abasing
- abating
- abbrevs
- abdomen
- abducts
- abetted
- abetter
- abettor
- abiding
- ability
- abjured
- abjures
- abolish
- aborted
Words starting with ADJ
- adj
- adjacent
- adjacently
- adjectival
- adjectivally
- adjective
- adjectives
- adjoin
- adjoined
- adjoining
- adjoins
- adjourned
- adjourning
- adjournment
- adjournments
- adjourns
- adjudge
- adjudged
See all words starting with ADJ →
Words ending with URN
Common questions
What does Adjourn mean?
To postpone.
How many letters are in Adjourn?
Adjourn has 7 letters.
What are some common phrases that include this word?
Common collocations include 'adjourn the meeting' and 'adjourn for lunch.' These phrases illustrate the word's use in formal contexts.
Is there a word people often confuse with adjourn?
Many people confuse 'adjourn' with 'postpone.' While both refer to delaying something, 'adjourn' typically applies to formal meetings or sessions, whereas 'postpone' is more general.
In what contexts is this word usually found?
You'll frequently find 'adjourn' in legal and academic contexts, where formal gatherings require clear management of time.
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