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
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
It was reserved for Finlay to depict, with greater knowledge and a juster perception, the lights and shades of Byzantine history.
This acknowledgment has led to the establishment of juster terms for women's labor by the Federal Supreme Court.
Making Both Ends Meet | Sue Ainslie Clark and Edith WyattThe stage might give stirring examples of mistaken education, and lead parents to juster, better views of the subject.
The Aesthetical Essays | Friedrich SchillerA more select society would know to set a juster value upon your merit.
Life and Correspondence of David Hume, Volume II (of 2) | John Hill BurtonA juster estimate of chivalrous manners is to be deduced from romances.
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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