just
1guided by truth, reason, justice, and fairness: We hope to be just in our understanding of such difficult situations.
done or made according to principle; equitable; proper: a just reply.
based on right; rightful; lawful: a just claim.
in keeping with truth or fact; true; correct: a just analysis.
given or awarded rightly; deserved, as a sentence, punishment, or reward: a just penalty.
in accordance with standards or requirements; proper or right: just proportions.
(especially in Biblical use) righteous.
actual, real, or genuine.
within a brief preceding time; but a moment before: The sun just came out.
exactly or precisely: This is just what I mean.
by a narrow margin; barely: The arrow just missed the mark.
only or merely: He was just a clerk until he became ambitious.
actually; really; positively: The weather is just glorious.
Idioms about just
just so, neat and tidy; carefully arranged: My mother-in-law is very fussy; everything has to be placed just so.
Origin of just
1Other words for just
| 1 | upright; equitable, fair, impartial |
| 3 | legitimate, legal |
| 4 | accurate, exact; honest |
| 5 | merited, appropriate, condign, suited, apt, due |
Opposites for just
Words that may be confused with just
Words Nearby just
Other definitions for just (2 of 2)
Other words from just
- juster, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use just in a sentence
In the just-released USA Today/Suffolk poll, Roberts trails his opponent by five points.
A Loss by Pat Roberts in Kansas? Actually, Not So Bizarre | Jeff Greenfield | October 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA just-published study in the journal Nature explored how mice reacted to a diet of artificial sweeteners.
Pamphlets were venues for advocacy and commentary on domestic affairs, but newspapers adopted a pose of just-the-facts neutrality.
(Complete CPAC Coverage) A couple of speakers later, Mike Huckabee revved up the crowd with his just-plain-folks sermonizing.
So every bottle of rowanberry schnaps you see began with thousands of hand-harvest, just-frosted rowanberries.
What to Drink When it’s Cold? The Glory of Austrian Schnaps | Jordan Salcito | January 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
"Sure," grinned Stanton, with all the deceptive, undauntable optimism of the just-Awakened.
Molly Make-Believe | Eleanor Hallowell AbbottIt is served by a ministerial-looking butler and a just-ready-to-be-ordained footman.
Penelope's Experiences in Scotland | Kate Douglas WigginTill now one with sudden hiss: "But-good Christ-just look-why, the roof's leaning—!"
The Lord of the Sea | M. P. ShielIn it were included the names of his brother, of Couthon, and of Saint-just.
Historical Tales, Vol. 6 (of 15) | Charles MorrisWe hurried back for them, forgetting that we had promised ourselves a long just-us talk to bridge the months of separation.
Paris Vistas | Helen Davenport Gibbons
British Dictionary definitions for just
fair or impartial in action or judgment
(as collective noun; preceded by the): the just
conforming to high moral standards; honest
consistent with justice: a just action
rightly applied or given; deserved: a just reward
legally valid; lawful: a just inheritance
well-founded; reasonable: just criticism
correct, accurate, or true: a just account
used with forms of have to indicate an action performed in the very recent past: I have just closed the door
at this very instant: he's just coming in to land
no more than; merely; only: just an ordinary car
exactly; precisely: that's just what I mean
by a small margin; barely: he just got there in time
(intensifier): it's just wonderful to see you
informal indeed; with a vengeance: isn't it just
just about
at the point of starting (to do something)
very nearly; almost: I've just about had enough
just a moment, just a second or just a minute an expression requesting the hearer to wait or pause for a brief period of time
just now
a very short time ago
at this moment
Southern African informal in a little while
just on having reached exactly: it's just on five o'clock
just so
an expression of complete agreement or of unwillingness to dissent
arranged with precision
Origin of just
1usage For just
Derived forms of just
- justly, adverb
- justness, 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
Other Idioms and Phrases with just
In addition to the idioms beginning with just
- just about
- just a minute
- just as
- just as soon
- just deserts
- just folks
- just for the record
- just in case
- just in time
- just like that
- just now
- just one of those things
- just so
- just the same
- just the ticket
- just what the doctor ordered
also see:
- all (just) the same
- get it (you just don't)
- take it (just so much)
Also see underjustice.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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