just

¹just

\ˈjəst, ˈjüst\

Definition of JUST

archaic variant of joust

²just

adjective \ˈjəst\

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

Examples of JUST

1. a just cause for war
2. The college treated the allegation with just seriousness.
3. They got their just punishment for the crime.

Origin of JUST

Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French juste, from Latin justus, from jus right, law; akin to Sanskrit yos welfare

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to JUST

Synonyms

competent, condign, deserved, due, fair, justified, merited, right, rightful, warranted

Antonyms

undeserved, undue, unfair, unjust, unjustified, unmerited, unwarranted

Related Words

applicable, appropriate, apt, fit, fitting, meet, proper, requisite, suitable; lawful, legal, legitimate; accurate, correct, true; rhadamanthine, strict, stringent, uncompromising; equitable, impartial, square

Near Antonyms

incoherent, incorrect, irrelative, irrelevant; improper, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, indefensible, unjustifiable, unreasonable, unsuitable; biased, inequitable, partial, unequal; arbitrary, despotic; illegitimate, unlawful

See Synonym Discussion at fair, upright

Rhymes with JUST

bust, crust, dust, gust, lust, must, musth, rust, thrust, trust

³just

adverb \ˈjəst, ˈjist, ˈjest also without t\

Definition of JUST

1

a : exactly, precisely <just right>

b : very recently <the bell just rang>

2

a : by a very small margin : barely <just too late>

b : immediately, directly <just west of here>

3

a : only, simply <just last year> <just be yourself>

b : quite, very <just wonderful>

4

: perhaps, possibly <it just might work>

— just about

: almost <the work is just about done>

Examples of JUST

1. The store has just the tool you need.
2. That's just what I expected.
3. You have to accept me just as I am.
4. This shirt fits just right.
5. She called him a liar and told him he was just like all the other men she'd met.
6. He was just here a minute ago.
7. She had just returned when he entered.
8. I was just going to telephone you!
9. She's just finishing a letter, and she'll be with you shortly.
10. I arrived just in time to see him win.

First Known Use of JUST

15th century

Related to JUST

Synonyms

exactly, precisely, to a T, by the skin of one's teeth

Antonyms

considerably, significantly, substantially, vastly, well

Related Words

even, expressly, faultlessly, perfectly; identically, uniformly; alike, likewise, similarly

Near Antonyms

slightly, somewhat, vaguely; differently, variably