tweak
tweak Lexical Profile
tweak Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A minor adjustment or modification made to a system, plan, or mechanism in order to improve its performance.
"With a few minor tweaks to the software code, the application ran twice as fast."
A sharp pinch, twist, or pull.
"The playful uncle gave the child's cheek an affectionate tweak."
• verb
To improve a mechanism, system, or design by making fine adjustments to it.
"The audio engineer spent the afternoon tweaking the sound levels before the concert."
To twist, pinch, or pull something sharply.
"She laughed and tweaked her brother's nose when he tried to look serious."
To injure or strain a muscle, tendon, or joint slightly.
"The sprinter tweaked her hamstring during the warm-up and had to withdraw from the race."
• Rhymes for tweak
Word Origin & Etymology
Dating back to the early 17th century, the word is likely a variant of Middle English twikken ('to pull sharply or pinch'), descending from Old English twiccan ('to pluck or twitch').