tweak

[ tweek ]
/ twik /

verb (used with object)

to pinch and pull with a jerk and twist: to tweak someone's ear; to tweak someone's nose.
to pull or pinch the nose of, especially gently: He tweaked the baby on greeting.
to make a minor adjustment to: to tweak a computer program.

noun

an act or instance of tweaking; a sharp, twisting pull or jerk.

Origin of tweak

First recorded in 1595–1605; akin to twitch

Example sentences from the Web for tweaking

British Dictionary definitions for tweaking

tweak
/ (twiːk) /

verb (tr)

to twist, jerk, or pinch with a sharp or sudden movement to tweak someone's nose
motor racing slang to tune (a car or engine) for peak performance
informal to make a minor alteration

noun

an instance of tweaking
informal a minor alteration

Derived forms of tweak

tweaky, adjective

Word Origin for tweak

Old English twiccian; related to Old High German zwecchōn; see twitch