Words / C / General

calibrate

/ˈkælɪbreɪt/

B2CEFR level
45/100Rarity: uncommon
NeutralRegister

General verb

To adjust an instrument or model against a known standard so that its readings are accurate.

Technicians calibrate the balance each morning against a certified reference mass.

Similar: adjust

Topic: Science & reasoning in General English

Business verb

To adjust or fine-tune something so that it is accurate or appropriate.

The team calibrated its cost-saving projections against three independent industry benchmarks before presenting them.

Similar: fine-tune, adjust

Topic: Consulting in Business English

Rarity runs from 0 (a word everyone knows) to 100 (almost never seen outside specialist or literary writing). Level is the word's real difficulty on the CEFR scale, from A1 to C2.

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More general words: Science & reasoning