just
Adjective · AdverbOpen English WordNet
Adverb (8)
- and nothing more“I was merely asking”“it is simply a matter of time”“just a scratch”“he was only a child”“hopes that last but a moment”Synonyms: merelysimplyonlybutFrom mere
- indicating exactness or preciseness“he was doing precisely (or exactly) what she had told him to do”“it was just as he said — the jewel was gone”“it has just enough salt”“Properly speaking, all true work is religion. — Thomas Carlyle”Synonyms: preciselyexactlyproperlyFrom precise
- only a moment ago“he has just arrived”“the sun just now came out”Synonyms: just now
- (used for emphasis) absolutely“I just can't take it anymore”“he was just grand as Romeo”“it's simply beautiful!”Synonyms: simply
- only a very short time before“we hardly knew them”“had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open”“would have scarce arrived before she would have found some excuse to leave — W.B.Yeats”Synonyms: barelyhardlyscarcelyscarce
- possibly (indicating a slight chance of something being true)“it might just happen”
- exactly at this moment or the moment described“we've just finished painting the walls, so don't touch them”
- by a little“I only just caught the bus”“he finished the marathon in just under 3 hours”“it was barely 5 a.m.”“the network has barely 5 percent of viewers”“the batter just missed being hit”Synonyms: barely
Adjective (4)
- used especially of what is legally or ethically right or proper or fitting“a just and lasting peace — A.Lincoln”“a kind and just man”“a just reward”“his just inheritance”Opposite unjustSimilar fitting, rightful, conscionable, retributiveSee also fair, equitable, honorable, right, righteous
- fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience“equitable treatment of all citizens”“an equitable distribution of gifts among the children”Synonyms: equitableSimilar honest, evenhandedSee also fair, impartial
- free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules“a fair referee”“fair deal”“on a fair footing”“a fair fight”“by fair means or foul”Synonyms: fairSimilar clean, antimonopoly, fair-minded, fair-and-squareRelates to fairness, equitySee also equitable, impartial, reasonable
- of moral excellence“a genuinely good person”“a just cause”“an upright and respectable man”Synonyms: gooduprightOpposite unrighteousSimilar righteous
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: F. juste, L. justus, fr. jus right, law, justice; orig., that which is fitting; akin to Skr. yu to join. Cf. Injury, Judge, Jury, Giusto.
1. Conforming or conformable to rectitude or justice; not doing wrong to any; violating no right or obligation; upright; righteous; honest; true; — said both of persons and things. “O just but severe law!” William Shakespeare
There is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.— Eccl. vii. 20.
Just balances, just weights,... shall ye have.— Lev. xix. 36.
How should man be just with God?— Job ix. 2.
We know your grace to be a man. Just and upright.— William Shakespeare
2. Not transgressing the requirement of truth and propriety; conformed to the truth of things, to reason, or to a proper standard; exact; normal; reasonable; regular; due; as, a just statement; a just inference.
Just of thy word, in every thought sincere.— Alexander Pope
The prince is here at hand: pleaseth your lordship To meet his grace just distance 'tween our armies.— William Shakespeare
He was a comely personage, a little above just stature.— Francis, Baron Verulam Bacon
Fire fitted with just materials casts a constant heat.— Taylor, Jeremy
When all The war shall stand ranged in its just array.— Joseph Addison
Their names alone would make a just volume.— Burton, Robert
3. Rendering or disposed to render to each one his due; equitable; fair; impartial; as, just judge.
Men are commonly so just to virtue and goodness as to praise it in others, even when they do not practice it themselves.— John Tilllotson
Just intonation. Music (a) The correct sounding of notes or intervals; true pitch. (b) The giving all chords and intervals in their purity or their exact mathematical ratio, or without temperament; a process in which the number of notes and intervals required in the various keys is much greater than the twelve to the octave used in systems of temperament. Hen. Ward Poole
Synonyms: Equitable; upright; honest; true; fair; impartial; proper; exact; normal; orderly; regular.
1. Precisely; exactly; — in place, time, or degree; neither more nor less than is stated.
And having just enough, not covet more.— John Dryden
The god Pan guided my hand just to the heart of the beast.— Sir Philip Sidney
To-night, at Herne's oak, just 'twixt twelve and one.— William Shakespeare
2. Closely; nearly; almost.
Just at the point of death.— Sir William Temple
3. Barely; merely; scarcely; only; by a very small space or time; as, he just missed the train; just too late.
A soft Etesian gale But just inspired and gently swelled the sail.— John Dryden
Just now, the least possible time since; a moment ago.
Origin: See Joust.
To joust. Edward Fairfax
A joust. John Dryden
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54