strict
Americanadjective
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characterized by or acting in close conformity to requirements or principles.
a strict observance of rituals.
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stringent or exacting in or in enforcing rules, requirements, obligations, etc..
strict laws; a strict judge.
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closely or rigorously enforced or maintained.
strict silence.
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exact or precise.
a strict statement of facts.
- Synonyms:
- scrupulous, accurate
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extremely defined or conservative; narrowly or carefully limited.
a strict construction of the Constitution.
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close, careful, or minute.
a strict search.
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absolute, perfect, or complete; utmost.
told in strict confidence.
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stern; severe; austere.
strict parents.
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Obsolete. drawn tight or close.
adjective
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adhering closely to specified rules, ordinances, etc
a strict faith
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complied with or enforced stringently; rigorous
a strict code of conduct
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severely correct in attention to rules of conduct or morality
a strict teacher
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(of a punishment, etc) harsh; severe
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(prenominal) complete; absolute
in strict secrecy
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logic maths
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applying more narrowly than some other relation often given the same name, as strict inclusion, which holds only between pairs of sets that are distinct, while simple inclusion permits the case in which they are identical See also proper ordering
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distinguished from a relation of the same name that is not the subject of formal study
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rare botany very straight, narrow, and upright
strict panicles
Synonym Usage
Strict, rigid, rigorous, stringent imply inflexibility, severity, and an exacting quality. Strict implies great exactness, especially in the observance or enforcement of rules: strict discipline. Rigid, literally stiff or unbending, applies to that which is (often unnecessarily or narrowly) inflexible: rigid economy. Rigorous, with the same literal meaning, applies to that which is severe, exacting, and uncompromising, especially in action or application: rigorous self-denial. Stringent applies to that which is vigorously exacting and severe: stringent measures to suppress disorder.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of strict
First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin strictus, equivalent to strig-, variant stem of stringere “to draw tight” + -tus past participle suffix
Explanation
Strict describes someone who sticks to a particular set of rules. If your math teacher is strict, it means that she expects her rules to be followed to the letter. The adjective strict always has to do with rules. Your strict parents enforced rules and expected you to obey them. Your cousin might be a strict vegetarian who always follows her own rules about what to eat. Strict laws demand to be followed, and a strict follower of the First Amendment supports free speech no matter what. The Latin root of strict is strictus, which means "drawn together, tight, or rigid." A rigid adherence to rules is exactly what makes someone strict.
Vocabulary lists containing strict
Tears of a Tiger
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"The War of the Wall" by Toni Cade Bambara
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"Kids Like Me: Voices of the Immigrant Experience"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On a visit to one site, AFP journalists had to follow strict protocols, including a ride in a car with blacked-out windows.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
Let me just give the strict legal answer, and maybe we can pan out from there.
From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026
Heightened security, a strict no-bag policy and airport-style screening will greet fans, as US President Donald Trump attends a pivotal NBA Finals game on Monday evening in New York City.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
“He achieved these organic shapes, which are very characteristic of his architecture, but using very strict rules,” said Mauricio Cortés, an architect who has been working on completing the church for the past two decades.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026
A talented and competitive athlete in school, known as Elbows to those who played basketball with him, he ran the Farmer household with a strict hand.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
