justify
[ juhs-tuh-fahy ]
/ ˈdʒʌs təˌfaɪ /
Save This Word!
verb (used with object), jus·ti·fied, jus·ti·fy·ing.
to show (an act, claim, statement, etc.) to be just or right: The end does not always justify the means.
to defend or uphold as warranted or well-grounded: Don't try to justify his rudeness.
Printing.
- to make (a line of type) a desired length by spacing the words and letters, especially so that full lines in a column have even margins both on the left and on the right.
- to level and square (a strike).
verb (used without object), jus·ti·fied, jus·ti·fy·ing.
Law.
- to show a satisfactory reason or excuse for something done.
- to qualify as bail or surety.
Printing. (of a line of type) to fit exactly into a desired length.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
Origin of justify
OTHER WORDS FROM justify
jus·ti·fi·er, nounjus·ti·fy·ing·ly, adverbpre·jus·ti·fy, verb (used with object), pre·jus·ti·fied, pre·jus·ti·fy·ing.re·jus·ti·fy, verb (used with object), re·jus·ti·fied, re·jus·ti·fy·ing.Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use justify in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for justify
justify
/ (ˈdʒʌstɪˌfaɪ) /
verb -fies, -fying or -fied (mainly tr)
Derived forms of justify
justifier, nounWord Origin for justify
C14: from Old French justifier, from Latin justificāre, from jūstus just + facere to make
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