just

¹

[juhst]

adjective

1. guided by truth, reason, justice, and fairness.

   We hope to be just in our understanding of such difficult situations.

   Synonyms: impartial, fair, equitable, upright
   Antonyms: biased

2. done or made according to principle; equitable; proper.

   a just reply.

3. based on right; rightful; lawful.

   a just claim.

   Synonyms: legal, legitimate

4. in keeping with truth or fact; true; correct.

   a just analysis.

   Synonyms: honest, exact, accurate
   Antonyms: untrue

5. given or awarded rightly; deserved, as a sentence, punishment, or reward.

   a just penalty.

   Synonyms: due, apt, suited, condign, appropriate
   Antonyms: unjustified

6. in accordance with standards or requirements; proper or right.

   just proportions.

7. (especially in Biblical use) righteous.

8. actual, real, or genuine.

adverb

1. within a brief preceding time; but a moment before.

   The sun just came out.

2. exactly or precisely.

   This is just what I mean.

3. by a narrow margin; barely.

   The arrow just missed the mark.

4. only or merely.

   He was just a clerk until he became ambitious.

5. actually; really; positively.

   The weather is just glorious.

just

²

[juhst]

noun

1. joust.

just

adjective

1. 1. fair or impartial in action or judgment

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the just

2. conforming to high moral standards; honest

3. consistent with justice

   a just action

4. rightly applied or given; deserved

   a just reward

5. legally valid; lawful

   a just inheritance

6. well-founded; reasonable

   just criticism

7. correct, accurate, or true

   a just account

adverb

1. used with forms of have to indicate an action performed in the very recent past

   I have just closed the door

2. at this very instant

   he's just coming in to land

3. no more than; merely; only

   just an ordinary car

4. exactly; precisely

   that's just what I mean

5. by a small margin; barely

   he just got there in time

6. (intensifier)

   it's just wonderful to see you

7. informal,  indeed; with a vengeance

   isn't it just

8. 1. at the point of starting (to do something)

   2. very nearly; almost

      I've just about had enough

9. an expression requesting the hearer to wait or pause for a brief period of time

10. 1. a very short time ago

    2. at this moment

    3. informal,  in a little while

11. having reached exactly

    it's just on five o'clock

12. 1. an expression of complete agreement or of unwillingness to dissent

    2. arranged with precision

Usage

The use of just with exactly ( it's just exactly what they want ) is redundant and should be avoided: it's exactly what they want

Other Word Forms

• juster noun
• justly adverb
• justness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of just¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Latin jūstus “righteous,” equivalent to jūs “law, right” + -tus, adjective suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of just¹

C14: from Latin jūstus righteous, from jūs justice

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. just so, neat and tidy; carefully arranged.

   My mother-in-law is very fussy; everything has to be placed just so.

More idioms and phrases containing just

• all (just) the same
• get it (you just don't)
• justice
• take it (just so much)

Example Sentences

“Glaciers are touchstones between the past and the present, and it’s just so visceral when you can see how it used to be and how it is today,” Jones said.

From Los Angeles Times

"The whole building just - you heard a loud boom, and the thing just exploded, and it fell down just like that," said one witness who spoke with CBS News, BBC's US partner.

From BBC

The Raising Hope conference was held just over a month from the start of COP30 in Belém, in Brazil.

From BBC

"They're just scum," he said, on his second pint, claiming that it was "an invasion".

From BBC

The eye-opening documentary “What I Want You to Know” presents the views of just such veterans about their service and about the meaning of the conflicts they fought in.

From Salon