tweak

1 of 2

verb

ˈtwēk 

tweaked; tweaking; tweaks

transitive verb

1

: to make usually small adjustments in or to

tweak the controls

especially : fine-tune

2

: to injure slightly

3

: to pinch (a person or a body part) lightly or playfully

4

: to pinch and pull with a sudden jerk and twist : twitch

tweaked a bud from the stem

5

a

: annoy, bother

tweaking the establishment

b

: to criticize especially in a sly or sharp manner

c

: to poke fun at

intransitive verb

1

: pull, pluck

2

: to make small adjustments

tweak

2 of 2

noun

plural tweaks

1

: a small change or adjustment

We made a few tweaks to the original recipe.

Jellyfish collects information about what's happening behind the scenes and rushes it to its corporate clients so they can make investments based on things like forthcoming regulations or tax code tweaks.

—Tim Murphy

They'd try making helpful tweaks to the way my chair faced the computer …

—Lucette Lagnado

2

: a sharp pinch or jerk

a tweak of the nose

Archie laughed, and Rose, seeing a merry blue eye winking at her from behind two brown hands, gave Charlie's ear a friendly tweak …

—Louisa May Alcott

3

: a slight injury causing pain

… it's worth remembering that Pryor is a more dangerous runner than passer, so even a slight tweak of the leg or ankle could be a significant blow to the offense at State College.

—Bob Hunter

Examples of tweak in a Sentence

Verb

We just wanted to tweak his original idea a bit.

He tweaked his ankle playing soccer.

My brother hates it when our grandmother tweaks his cheek.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

These regulatory programs can be changed, tweaked, or even repealed by a future administration, without necessarily involving Congress (hardship student loan forgiveness hasn’t even been finalized yet, so that would be particularly easy for the Trump administration to nix). —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

The ebike is also reported compatible with Priority's optional rack extender, which could bump the total capacity to 1,200 Wh. Priority Bicycles Elsewhere, the 6061 aluminum frame's head tube angle has been tweaked to 68-5 degrees for the promise of smoother control and enhanced stability. —Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 6 Dec. 2024

Noun

Like many manufacturers, Samsung is doubting down on the capabilities of generative AI to improve the user experience… alongside the usual raft of bug fixes, updates, and software tweaks. —Ewan Spence, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

The plan has tweaks that will permit more housing: Some homeowners will be allowed to add an extra unit on their properties, and developers can build bigger buildings near subway stations, according to David Brand of WNYC, an NPR network station. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

probably alteration of Middle English twikken to pull sharply, from Old English twiccian to pluck — more at twitch entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

1601, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Noun

1616, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

tweak

verb

ˈtwēk 

1

: to pinch and pull with a sudden jerk and twist

2

: to make small adjustments in or to

tweak the controls

3

: to injure slightly

tweak noun