First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1just
\ˈjəst, ˈjüst\
2just
adjective \ˈjəst\
: agreeing with what is considered morally right or good
: treating people in a way that is considered morally right
: reasonable or proper
Full Definition of JUST
1
a : having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason : reasonable <a just but not a generous decision> b archaic : faithful to an original c : conforming to a standard of correctness : proper <just proportions>
2
a (1) : acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good : righteous <a just war> (2) : being what is merited : deserved <a just punishment> b : legally correct : lawful <just title to an estate>
— just·ly adverb
— just·ness \ˈjəs(t)-nəs\ noun
See just defined for English-language learners
See just defined for kids
Origin of JUST
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French juste, from Latin justus, from jus right, law; akin to Sanskrit yos welfare
Related to JUST
Synonym Discussion of JUST
fair, just, equitable, impartial, unbiased, dispassionate, objective mean free from favor toward either or any side. fair implies a proper balance of conflicting interests <a fair decision>. just implies an exact following of a standard of what is right and proper <a just settlement of territorial claims>. equitable implies a less rigorous standard than just and usually suggests equal treatment of all concerned <the equitable distribution of the property>. impartial stresses an absence of favor or prejudice <an impartial third party>. unbiased implies even more strongly an absence of all prejudice <your unbiased opinion>. dispassionate suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and often implies cool or even cold judgment <a dispassionate summation of the facts>. objective stresses a tendency to view events or persons as apart from oneself and one's own interest or feelings <I can't be objective about my own child>.
upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right. upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles <a stern and upright minister>. honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, fairness <known for being honest in business dealings>. just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable <workers given just compensation>. conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience <conscientious in the completion of her assignments> <scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will>. honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty <a difficult but honorable decision>.
upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right. upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles <a stern and upright minister>. honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, fairness <known for being honest in business dealings>. just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable <workers given just compensation>. conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience <conscientious in the completion of her assignments> <scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will>. honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty <a difficult but honorable decision>.
3just
adverb \ˈjəst, ˈjist, ˈjest also without t\
: to an exact degree or in an exact manner
: very recently
: at this or that exact moment or time
Full Definition of JUST
2
a : by a very small margin : barely <just too late> b : immediately, directly <just west of here>
See just defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of JUST
15th century
Related to JUST
- Antonyms
- considerably, significantly, substantially, vastly, well
JUST Defined for Kids
1just
adjective \ˈjəst\
Definition of JUST for Kids
1
: being what is deserved <a just punishment>
2
: having a foundation in fact or reason : reasonable <a just decision>
3
: agreeing with a standard of correctness <a just price>
4
: morally right or good <a just cause> <a just man>
— just·ly adverb
Word Root of JUST
The Latin word jus, meaning “law” or “rights,” and its form juris give us the roots jus and jur. Words from the Latin jus have something to do with law. A juror is a person who decides the facts of a case in a court of law. A jury is a group of jurors. When a decision in a court is just, it is fair and right and agrees with the law. Even the first two letters of judge, to form an opinion about whether something follows the law and is right, come from jus.
2just
adverb
Definition of JUST for Kids
1
: to an exact degree or in an exact manner <The shirt fits just right.> <You look just like your father.>
2
: very recently <She just got here.>
3
: by a very small amount : with nothing to spare <We just managed to fit in his car.>
4
: by a very short distance <My best friend lives just east of here.>
5
: nothing other than <He's just a child.>
6
: 1very 2 <My new job is just wonderful.>
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