strict

[ strikt ]
See synonyms for: strictstricterstricteststrictness on Thesaurus.com

adjective,strict·er, strict·est.
  1. characterized by or acting in close conformity to requirements or principles: a strict observance of rituals.

  2. stringent or exacting in or in enforcing rules, requirements, obligations, etc.: strict laws; a strict judge.

  1. closely or rigorously enforced or maintained: strict silence.

  2. exact or precise: a strict statement of facts.

  3. extremely defined or conservative; narrowly or carefully limited: a strict construction of the Constitution.

  4. close, careful, or minute: a strict search.

  5. absolute, perfect, or complete; utmost: told in strict confidence.

  6. stern; severe; austere: strict parents.

  7. Obsolete. drawn tight or close.

Origin of strict

1
First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin strictus, equivalent to strig-, variant stem of stringere “to draw tight” + -tus past participle suffix

synonym study For strict

1. 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 words for strict

Opposites for strict

Other words from strict

  • strictness, noun
  • o·ver·strict, adjective
  • su·per·strict, adjective
  • su·per·strict·ly, adverb
  • su·per·strict·ness, noun
  • un·strict, adjective
  • un·strict·ly, adverb
  • un·strict·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for strict

strict

/ (strɪkt) /


adjective
  1. adhering closely to specified rules, ordinances, etc: a strict faith

  2. complied with or enforced stringently; rigorous: a strict code of conduct

  1. severely correct in attention to rules of conduct or morality: a strict teacher

  2. (of a punishment, etc) harsh; severe

  3. (prenominal) complete; absolute: in strict secrecy

  4. logic maths (of a relation)

    • 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 (def. 9), ordering

    • distinguished from a relation of the same name that is not the subject of formal study

  5. botany rare very straight, narrow, and upright: strict panicles

Origin of strict

1
C16: from Latin strictus, from stringere to draw tight

Derived forms of strict

  • strictly, adverb
  • strictness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012