You use just to say that something happened a very short time ago, or is starting to happen at the present time. For example, if you say that someone has just arrived, you mean that they arrived a very short time ago.
I've just bought a new house.
The two had only just met.
I just had the most awful dream.
I'm only just beginning to take it in that he's still missing.
Synonyms: recently, lately, only now More Synonyms of just
2. adverb [ADVERB before verb, ADVabout/going to-inf]
If you say that you are just doing something, you mean that you are doing it now and will finish it very soon. If you say that you are just about to do something, or just going to do it, you mean that you will do it very soon.
I'm just making the sauce for the cauliflower.
I'm just going to walk down the lane now and post some letters.
The Vietnam War was just about to end.
3. adverb [ADV adv/prep]
You can use just to emphasize that something is happening at exactly the moment of speaking or at exactly the moment that you are talking about.
[emphasis]
Randall would just now be getting the Sunday paper.
Just then the phone rang.
I remember now. He arrived just at the moment it happened.
Just as she prepared to set off to the next village, two friends arrived in a taxi.
4. adverb
You use just to indicate that something is no more important, interesting, or difficult, for example, than you say it is, especially when you want to correct a wrong idea that someone may get or has already got.
[emphasis]
It's just a suggestion.
It's not just a financial matter.
You can tell just by looking at me that I am all right.
Synonyms: merely, but, only, simply More Synonyms of just
5. adverb [ADVERB noun]
You use just to emphasize that you are talking about a small part, not the whole of an amount.
[emphasis]
That's just one example of the kind of experiments you can do.
These are just a few of the many options available.
6. adverb
You use just to emphasize how small an amount is or how short a length of time is.
[emphasis]
Stephanie and David redecorated a room in just three days.
Remember he's just fourteen years old.
7. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
You can use just in front of a verb to indicate that the result of something is unfortunate or undesirable and is likely to make the situation worse rather than better.
Leaving like I did just made it worse.
They just hurt the people in their community, they didn't really solve any problem.
8. adverb
You use just to indicate that what you are saying is the case, but only by a very small degree or amount.
Her hand was just visible by the light from the sitting room.
It was Colin's voice, only just audible.
I arrived just in time for my flight to London.
Jack took out his notes and talked for just under an hour.
He could just reach the man's head with his right hand.
Synonyms: barely, hardly, only just, scarcely More Synonyms of just
9. adverb
You use just with 'might,' 'may,' and 'could', when you mean that there is a small chance of something happening, even though it is not very likely.
It's an old trick but it just might work.
It may just be possible.
10. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
You use just to emphasize the following word or phrase, in order to express feelings such as annoyance, admiration, or certainty.
[emphasis]
She just won't relax.
I knew you'd be here. I just knew.
Isn't it fantastic? Just look at that!
Just think, we should be home this time tomorrow.
I don't see the point in it really. It's just stupid.
Isn't he just the most beautiful thing you ever saw?
11. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
You use just with instructions, polite requests, or statements of intention, to make your request or statement seem less difficult.
[spoken]
Could you just give us a description of your cat?
Can you just lift the table for a second?
I'm just going to ask you a bit more about your father's business.
Just add water, milk and butter.
I'd just like to mention that, personally, I don't think it's wise.
Just wait for me in the lounge.
12. adverb [ADVERB noun]
You use just in expressions such as just a minute and just a moment to ask someone to wait for a short time.
[spoken]
'Let me in, Di.'—'Okay. Just a minute.'
13. adverb [ADVERB noun]
You can use just in expressions such as just a minute and just a moment to interrupt someone, for example in order to disagree with them, explain something, or calm them down.
[spoken]
Well, now just a second, I don't altogether agree with the premise.
14. adverb [with neg]
You can use just with negative question tags, for example 'isn't she just?' and 'don't they just!', to say that you agree completely with what has been said.
[British, spoken, emphasis]
'That's crazy,' I said.—'Isn't it just?' he said.
'The manager's going to have some tough decisions to make.'—'Won't he just.'
15. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
If you say that you can just see or hear something, you mean that it is easy for you to imagine seeing or hearing it.
I can just see Nadia bragging away to Emma-Louise.
I can just hear her telling her friends, 'Well, I blame his mother!'
16. adverb
You use just to mean exactly, when you are specifying something precisely or asking for precise information.
It is really not clear just why he became a Socialist.
There are no statistics about just how many people won't vote.
My arm hurts too, just here.
That's Warwick Road, just opposite Earls Court tube station.
17. adverb [ADVERB noun]
You use just to emphasize that a particular thing is exactly what is needed or fits a particular description exactly.
[emphasis]
Kiwi fruit are just the thing for a healthy snack.
'Let's get a coffee somewhere.'—'I know just the place.'
It soon became clear that many people had been waiting for just this moment.
Synonyms: exactly, really, quite, completely More Synonyms of just
18. adverb [ADVlike n, ADVas adj/adv, ADVERB noun]
You use just in expressions such as just like, just as...as, and just the same when you are emphasizing the similarity between two things or two people.
[emphasis]
Behind the facade they are just like the rest of us.
He worked just as hard as anyone.
At 62 years old, her voice sounded just the same as it did when she was 21.
19.
See just about
20.
See just about
21.
See just on
22.
See just so
23.
See just so
24.
See it's just that
25. just my luck
26. not just
27. just now
28. only just
29. it just goes to show
More Synonyms of just
just adjective use
(dʒʌst)
1. adjective
If you describe a situation, action, or idea as just, you mean that it is right or acceptable according to particular moral principles, such as respect for all human beings.
[formal]
In a just society there must be a system whereby people can seek redress throughthe courts.
She fought honestly for a just cause and for freedom.
Was Pollard's life sentence just or was it too severe?
Synonyms: fair, good, legitimate, honourable More Synonyms of just
justlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
They were not treated justly in the past.
No government can justly claim authority unless it is based on the will of the people.
Synonyms: fairly, equally, honestly, accurately More Synonyms of just
2. to get your just deserts
just in British English
adjective (dʒʌst)
1.
a.
fair or impartial in action or judgment
b.
(as collective noun; preceded by the)
the just
2.
conforming to high moral standards; honest
3.
consistent with justice
a just action
4.
rightly applied or given; deserved
a just reward
5.
legally valid; lawful
a just inheritance
6.
well-founded; reasonable
just criticism
7.
correct, accurate, or true
a just account
adverb (dʒʌst, unstressed dʒəst)
8.
used with forms of have to indicate an action performed in the very recent past
I have just closed the door
9.
at this very instant
he's just coming in to land
10.
no more than; merely; only
just an ordinary car
11.
exactly; precisely
that's just what I mean
12.
by a small margin; barely
he just got there in time
13.
(intensifier)
it's just wonderful to see you
14. informal
indeed; with a vengeance
isn't it just
15. just about
16. just a moment
17. just now
18. just on
19. just so
▶ USAGE The use of just with exactly (it's just exactly what they want) is redundant and should be avoided: it's exactly what they want
Derived forms
justly (ˈjustly)
adverb
justness (ˈjustness)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin jūstus righteous, from jūs justice
just in American English1
(dʒʌst)
adjective
1.
right or fair; equitable; impartial
a just decision
2.
righteous; upright
a just man
3.
deserved; merited
just praise
4.
legally right; lawful; rightful
5.
proper, fitting, etc.
a just balance of colors
6.
well-founded; reasonable
a just suspicion
7.
correct or true
a just report
8.
accurate; exact
a just measure
adverb
9.
neither more nor less than; precisely; exactly
just one o'clock
10.
almost at the point of; nearly
just preparing to leave
11.
no more than; only
just a taste, just teasing you
12.
by a very small amount; barely
to just miss a train
13.
a very short time ago
she has just left
14.
immediately
just east of the church
15. Informal
quite; really
to feel just fine
SIMILAR WORDS: fair
Idioms:
just about
just now
just the same
Derived forms
justness (ˈjustness)
noun
Word origin
ME < OFr juste < L justus, lawful, rightful, proper < jus, right, law: see jury1
just in American English2
(dʒʌst)
noun, verb intransitive
joust
Examples of 'just' in a sentence
just
Some people just have the right energy to perform.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It looked just like they do in the cartoons.
The Sun (2016)
Just what many people want in the morning.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It feels as though my life has just ended.
The Sun (2016)
They just used it as an excuse.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He just joined the society because a friend did.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Just say you saw supplies were down.
The Sun (2016)
That is fair, just and manifestly necessary.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Too long in the past they've just brought in players here for the sake of it.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
To them life was just a dress rehearsal for the afterlife.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Troy is important and is just the right player for this team.
The Sun (2012)
You may feel that you just want to be left alone.
Ingham, Christine Life Without Work (1994)
They just want fair access to work.
The Sun (2012)
Some people forget to just take it all in.
The Sun (2015)
It used to be just three or four.
The Sun (2015)
You are the one who solves problems and gets things done as others just talk about it.
The Sun (2014)
The past is just like the present!
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They just reflect the society we live in.
The Sun (2012)
You just about get something right when it all goes wrong again.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The good news is that just about any reasonable and calm action you take will be accepted.
Christianity Today (2000)
After that amount of time just going away a weekend together would be a pretty big deal.
The Sun (2008)
My bank account was just about empty.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We kept plugging away and when we relaxed we got our just rewards.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Or do understand it but just want to cause trouble anyhow.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Killing a plant deprives it of life in just the same way as killing an animal.
Crowley, Vivianne Phoenix From the Flame (1994)
Why didn't you just say so?
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Quotations
Thrice is he arm'd that hath his quarrel justWilliam ShakespeareHenry VI, part II
In other languages
just
British English: just /dʒəst/ ADVERB
If you just did something, you did it a very short time ago.
We just got home after an awful journey.
American English: just
Arabic: لِتَوِّهِ
Brazilian Portuguese: exatamente
Chinese: 正好
Croatian: upravo
Czech: právě
Danish: lige
Dutch: zojuist
European Spanish: apenas
Finnish: juuri
French: juste simplement
German: soeben
Greek: μόλις
Italian: appena
Japanese: たった今
Korean: 방금
Norwegian: bare
Polish: właśnie
European Portuguese: exatamente
Romanian: tocmai
Russian: только
Latin American Spanish: Recién
Swedish: rättvis
Thai: เพิ่ง
Turkish: henüz
Ukrainian: щойно
Vietnamese: mới vừa
All related terms of 'just'
just on
Just on is used in mentioning an almost exact number or amount.
just so
Just so is used to agree with or confirm a statement that has been made.
just now
Just now means a very short time ago.
only just
You can say that something has only just happened when you want to emphasize that it happened a very short time ago .
just about
You use just about to indicate that what you are talking about is so close to being the case that it can be regarded as being the case.
just cause
a standard that must be met to justify the disciplining or dismissal of an employee
just reward
The rewards of something are the benefits that you receive as a result of doing or having that thing.
just think
You say just think when you feel excited , fascinated , or shocked by something, and you want the person to whom you are talking to feel the same.
Saint-Just
Louis Antoine Léon de ( lwi ɑ̃twan leɔ̃ də ). 1767–94, French Revolutionary leader and orator . A member of the Committee of Public Safety (1793–94), he was guillotined with Robespierre
just because
You use just because when you want to say that a particular situation should not necessarily make you come to a particular conclusion .
just quietly
between you and me; confidentially
just as well
preferable or advisable
just in case
You can say that you are doing something just in case to refer vaguely to the possibility that a thing might happen or be true , without saying exactly what it is.
just-in-time
denoting or relating to an industrial method in which waste of resources is eliminated or reduced by producing production-line components , etc, as they are required , rather than holding large stocks
just intonation
a form of tuning employing the pitch intervals of the untempered natural scale, sometimes employed in the playing of the violin , cello , etc
just the job
If you say that something is just the job , you mean that it is exactly what you wanted or needed .
not just any
If you say that someone or something is not just any person or thing, you mean that they are special in some way .
it's just that
You use the expression it's just that when you are making a complaint , suggestion , or excuse , so that the person you are talking to will not get annoyed with you.
just a moment
an expression requesting the hearer to wait or pause for a brief period of time
just like that
You use just like that to emphasize that something happens or is done immediately or in a very simple way, often without much thought or discussion .
just the same
nevertheless; yet
just/you watch
You say to someone ' you watch ' or ' just watch ' when you are predicting that something will happen , and you are very confident that it will happen as you say.
not only not just
You use not in expressions such as 'not only', 'not just', and 'not simply ' to emphasize that something is true , but it is not the whole truth .
be just as well
If you say that something that has happened is just as well , you mean that it is fortunate that it happened in the way it did.
just (plain) folks
simple and unassuming ; not snobbish
just the ticket
If you say that something is just the ticket , you mean that it is exactly what is needed .
get your just deserts
to deserve the unpleasant things that have happened to you, because you have done something bad
just leave well alone
to refrain from interfering with something that is satisfactory
not on/just not on
If you say that something is not on or is just not on , you mean that it is unacceptable or impossible .
in case/just in case
If you do something in case or just in case a particular thing happens , you do it because that thing might happen.
it just goes to show
If you say it just goes to show or it just shows that something is the case , you mean that what you have just said or experienced demonstrates that it is the case.
just around the corner
about to happen
just noticeable difference
the minimum difference between two stimuli that is just detectable by a person
be just sb's luck just my luck
If you say it is just your luck that something unpleasant has happened to you, you mean that this is quite normal because unpleasant things are always happening to you.
all the same/just the same
You can say all the same or just the same to introduce a statement which indicates that a situation or your opinion has not changed , in spite of what has happened or what has just been said .
it's not simply/just that
You use it in expressions such as it's not that or it's not simply that when you are giving a reason for something and are suggesting that there are several other reasons.
just for the hell of it
for fun or for no particular reason
just what the doctor ordered
extremely pleasant or useful and helping to make you feel better or to improve a situation
to get your just deserts
If you say that someone has got their just deserts , you mean that they deserved the unpleasant things that have happened to them, because they did something bad.
would just as soon/'d just as soon
If you say that you would just as soon do something or you ' d just as soon do it, you mean that you would prefer to do it.
just the thing/the very thing
If you say that something is just the thing or is the very thing , you are emphasizing that it is exactly what is wanted or needed.
just the tip of the iceberg
something that is part of a very large problem or a very serious situation , although other aspects of the problem or situation may not yet be obvious
someone is not just whistling Dixie
said to mean that someone is being honest or realistic in what they are saying and that they should therefore not be ignored
round the corner
close at hand
it is just/simply one of those things
If you say it is just one of those things you mean that you cannot explain something because it seems to happen by chance .
only/just etc a question/matter of time
If you say that it is only a matter of time or only a question of time before something happens , you mean that it cannot be avoided and will definitely happen at some future date .
⇒ Was Pollard's life sentence just or was it too severe?判波拉德无期徒刑公平呢，还是太重了？ (Pàn Bōlādé wúqī túxíng gōngpíng ne, háishì tài zhòng le?)
[society, cause]公正的 (gōngzhèng de)
⇒ a just and civilized society一个公正文明的社会 (yī gè gōngzhèng wénmíng de shèhuì)
adv
(= exactly) 正好 (zhènghǎo)
⇒ That's just what I wanted to hear.那正好是我想要听的。 (Nà zhènghǎo shì wǒ xiǎng yào tīng de.)
(= merely) 仅(僅)仅(僅) (jǐnjǐn)
⇒ It's not true, it's just a story.这不是真的，仅仅是个故事。 (Zhè bù shì zhēn de, jǐnjǐn shì gè gùshi.)
(= barely) 刚(剛)刚(剛) (gānggāng)
⇒ Her hand was just visible.刚刚能看见她的手。 (Gānggāng néng kànjiàn tā de shǒu.)
(for emphasis) 简(簡)直 (jiǎnzhí)
⇒ She just won't relax.她就是无法放松。 (Tā jiùshì wúfǎ fàngsōng.)
(in instructions, requests, = only) 只是 (zhǐshì)
⇒ I just want some information on ferries, please.劳驾，我只是想要一些有关渡船的信息。 (Láojià, wǒ zhǐshì xiǎng yào yīxiē yǒuguān dùchuán de xìnxī.)
it's just right正合适(適) (zhèng héshì)
I'm just finishing this我马(馬)上就做完了 (wǒ mǎshàng jiù zuòwán le)
we were just going我们(們)正要走 (wǒmen zhèng yào zǒu)
I was just about to phone or I was just going to phone我正要打电(電)话(話) (wǒ zhèng yào dǎ diànhuà)
to have just done sth刚(剛)刚(剛)做完某事 (gānggāng zuòwán mǒushì)
⇒ He has just left.他刚走。 (Tā gāng zǒu.)
just now (= a moment ago) 刚(剛)才 (gāngcái) (= at the present time) 现(現)在 (xiànzài)
just about everything/everyone差不多所有东(東)西/所有人 (chàbuduō suǒyǒu dōngxi/suǒyǒu rén)
it's just about big enough差不多够(夠)大了 (chàbuduō gòu dà le)
we can just about get there in time我们(們)可能刚(剛)刚(剛)能准(準)时(時)赶(趕)到那里(裡) (wǒmen kěnéng gānggāng néng zhǔnshí gǎn dào nàlǐ)
it's just that ... 不过(過) ... (bùguò ... )
she's just as clever as you她跟你一样(樣)聪(聰)明 (tā gēn nǐ yīyàng cōngmíng)
just as I expected正如我所预(預)料的那样(樣) (zhèng rú wǒ suǒ yùliào de nàyàng)
just as he was leaving就在他要离(離)开(開)时(時) (jiù zài tā yào líkāi shí)
just before/after ... 就在 ... 以前/以后(後) (jiùzài ... yǐqián/yǐhòu)
just enough time/money时(時)间(間)/钱(錢)正好够(夠) (shíjiān/qián zhènghǎo gòu)
he just missed (= failed to hit target) 他差点(點)就打中目标(標) (tā chàdiǎn jiù dǎzhòng mùbiāo)
he just missed the wall (avoided crashing into) 他差点(點)撞到墙(牆)上 (tā chàdiǎn zhuàng dào qiángshang)
not just now不是现(現)在 (bù shì xiànzài)
just a minute, just one moment (asking someone to wait) 等一下 (děng yīxià) (interrupting) 慢着(著) (mànzhe)
All related terms of 'just'
just now
( at the moment ) 眼下 yǎnxià ⇒ I'm pretty busy just now. → 眼下我很忙。 Yǎnxià wǒ hěn máng.
only just
( recently ) 刚(剛)刚(剛) gānggāng ⇒ I've only just arrived → 我刚刚才到 wǒ gānggāng cái dào
just in case
以防万(萬)一 yǐfáng wànyī
not just now
不是现(現)在 bù shì xiànzài
not just yet
现(現)在不 xiànzài bù
he just missed
( failed to hit target ) 他差点(點)就打中目标(標) tā chàdiǎn jiù dǎzhòng mùbiāo
it's just right
正合适(適) zhèng héshì
just a second!
就一会(會)儿(兒)！ Jiù yīhuìr!
just this once
( inf ) 就这(這)一次 jiù zhè yī cì
I'm just coming!
我这(這)就来(來)！ wǒ zhè jiù lái!
it's just that ...
不过(過) ... bùguò ...
to just miss sth
刚(剛)好错(錯)过(過)某事 gānghǎo cuòguò mǒushì
I'll just be a sec
我只要一会(會)儿(兒) wǒ zhǐ yào yīhuìr
it's just as well
幸好 xìnghǎo
it's just the job
( Brit : inf ) 正是想要的 zhèngshì xiǎng yào de
just as I expected
正如我所预(預)料的那样(樣) zhèng rú wǒ suǒ yùliào de nàyàng
just before/after ...
就在 ... 以前/以后(後) jiùzài ... yǐqián/yǐhòu
that's just like him
他就是这(這)样(樣) tā jiùshì zhèyàng
we were just going
我们(們)正要走 wǒmen zhèng yào zǒu
all or just the same
仍然 réngrán
I'm just finishing this
我马(馬)上就做完了 wǒ mǎshàng jiù zuòwán le
just enough time/money
时(時)间(間)/钱(錢)正好够(夠) shíjiān/qián zhènghǎo gòu
just follow your nose
凭(憑)本能行事 píng běnnéng xíngshì
he just missed the wall
( avoided crashing into ) 他差点(點)撞到墙(牆)上 tā chàdiǎn zhuàng dào qiángshang
it's just your imagination
只是你的想象而已 zhǐshì nǐ de xiǎngxiàng éryǐ
just as he was leaving
就在他要离(離)开(開)时(時) jiù zài tā yào líkāi shí
to have just done sth
刚(剛)刚(剛)做完某事 gānggāng zuòwán mǒushì ⇒ He has just left. → 他刚走。 Tā gāng zǒu.
wait or just a minute!
等一会(會)儿(兒)！ děng yīhuìr!
just a minute, just one moment
( asking someone to wait ) 等一下 děng yīxià
it's (just or all) an act
( pretence ) 这(這)(只)是做做样(樣)子 zhè (zhǐ) shì zuòzùo yàngzi ⇒ His anger was real. It wasn't an act. → 他真的生气了，并不是做做样子。 Tā zhēnde shēngqì le, bìng bùshì zuòzuò yàngzi.
it's just about big enough
差不多够(夠)大了 chàbuduō gòu dà le
it's just off the motorway
它就在高速公路边(邊)上 tā jiù zài gāosù gōnglù biānshang
just about everything/everyone
差不多所有东(東)西/所有人 chàbuduō suǒyǒu dōngxi/suǒyǒu rén
she leaves things just anyhow
她就是随(隨)随(隨)便便地乱(亂)放东(東)西 tā jiùshì suísuí-biànbiàn de luàn fàng dōngxi
她想买(買)件礼(禮)服，但要有点(點)特别(別)的那种(種) tā xiǎng mǎi jiàn lǐfú, dàn yào yǒudiǎn tèbié de nàzhǒng
they've been going out for 3 years and have just got engaged
他们(們)已经(經)交往3年了，并(並)且刚(剛)刚(剛)订(訂)婚 tāmen yǐjīng jiāowǎng sān nián le, bìngqiě gānggāng dìnghūn
(just) for the hell of it
( inf ) 仅(僅)为(為)取乐(樂) jǐn wèi qǔlè
(just) to be on the safe side
为(為)谨(謹)慎起见(見) wèi jǐnshèn qǐjiàn
to be (just) round or around the corner
( fig ) 即将(將)发(發)生 jìjiāng fāshēng
1 (adverb)
Definition
an expression requesting someone to wait for a short time
The two had only just met.
Synonyms
recently
The bank recently opened a branch in Germany.
lately
His health hasn't been too good lately.
only now
2 (adverb)
Definition
of or for young people
It's just a suggestion.
Synonyms
merely
He was far from being merely a furniture expert.
but
St Anton is but a snowball's throw away from Lech.
only
At the moment it's only a theory.
simply
The table is simply a chipboard circle on a base.
solely
Too often we make decisions based solely on what we see in magazines.
no more than
nothing but
All that money brought us nothing but misery.
3 (adverb)
Definition
barely
He could just reach the man's head with his right hand.
Synonyms
barely
His voice was barely audible.
hardly
Nick, on the sofa, hardly slept.
only just
scarcely
He could scarcely breathe.
at most
by a whisker
at a push
by the skin of your teeth
4 (adverb)
Definition
exactly
Kiwi fruit are just the thing for a healthy snack.
Synonyms
exactly
He arrived at exactly five o'clock.
really
I really do feel that some people are being unfair.
quite
It is quite clear that we were firing in self defence.
completely
Dozens of flats have been completely destroyed.
I have fallen completely in love with him.
totally
Young people want something totally different from the old ways.
perfectly
These mushrooms are perfectly safe to eat.
entirely
The two cases are entirely different.
truly
a truly democratic system
absolutely
She is absolutely right.
precisely
That is precisely what I suggested.
altogether
She wasn't altogether sorry to be leaving.
positively
He was positively furious.
1 (adjective)
Definition
fair and right
She fought honestly for a just cause and for freedom.
Synonyms
fair
I wanted them to get a fair deal.
good
The president is a good man.
legitimate
honourable
I believe she is an honourable person.
right
It's not right, leaving her like this.
square
We are asking for a square deal.
pure
pure and chaste thoughts
decent
upright
a very upright, trustworthy man
honest
My dad was the most honest man I have ever met.
equitable
the equitable distribution of social wealth
righteous
She concluded that it was impossible to find one righteous person.
conscientious
I admired this noble, conscientious man.
impartial
They offer impartial advice, guidance and information to students.
virtuous
The president is portrayed as a virtuous family man.
lawful
lawful for the doctors to treat her in whatever way they considered best
blameless
a blameless life
unbiased
The researchers were expected to be unbiased.
fair-minded
She is one of the most fair-minded people I know.
unprejudiced
There must be a few honest and unprejudiced lawyers around.
Opposites
unfair
,
prejudiced
,
corrupt
,
unlawful
,
unjust
,
dishonest
,
devious
,
inequitable
2 (adjective)
This cup final is a just reward for all the efforts they have put in.
Synonyms
fitting
The President's address was a fitting end to the campaign.
due
Treat them with due attention.
correct
They refuse to adopt the rules of correct behaviour.
deserved
Her reputation for political skill is well deserved.
appropriate
It is appropriate that Irish names dominate the list.
justified
reasonable
a perfectly reasonable decision
suitable
She had no other dress suitable for the occasion.
decent
After a decent interval they invited their new neighbours round for dinner.
sensible
merited
Her selection for the team was a surprise, but a merited one.
proper
In those days it was not thought proper for a woman to be on the stage.
legitimate
That's a perfectly legitimate fear.
desirable
apt
The words of this report are as apt today as they were in 1929.
rightful
The car must be returned to its rightful owner.
well-deserved
condign
Opposites
inappropriate
,
unreasonable
,
unfit
,
undeserved
3 (adjective)
Synonyms
correct
The information was correct at the time of going to press.
sound
They are trained nutritionists who can give sound advice on diets.
true
Everything I had heard about him was true.
normal
regular
The regular method is to take your cutting, and insert it into the compost.
accurate
a more accurate description of the terrain
proper
Please ensure that the proper procedures are followed.
exact
I can't remember the exact words he used.
precise
We will never know the precise details of his death.
faithful
His screenplay is faithful to the novel.
Opposites
untrue
phrase
See just about
Usage note
The expression just exactly is considered to be poor style because, since both words mean the same thing, only one or the other is needed. Use just – it's just what they want – or exactly – it's exactly what they want, but not both together.
Quotation
Thrice is he arm'd that hath his quarrel just [William Shakespeare – Henry VI, part II]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of absolutely
Definition
completely or perfectly
She is absolutely right.
Synonyms
completely,
totally,
perfectly,
quite,
fully,
entirely,
purely,
altogether,
thoroughly,
wholly,
utterly,
consummately,
every inch,
to the hilt,
a hundred per cent,
one hundred per cent,
unmitigatedly,
lock, stock and barrel
in the sense of accurate
a more accurate description of the terrain
Synonyms
precise,
right,
close,
nice,
regular,
correct,
careful,
strict,
proper,
exact,
faithful,
explicit,
authentic,
spot-on,
just,
clear-cut,
meticulous,
truthful,
faultless,
scrupulous,
unerring,
veracious
in the sense of altogether
Definition
completely
She wasn't altogether sorry to be leaving.
Synonyms
absolutely,
quite,
completely,
totally,
perfectly,
fully,
thoroughly,
wholly,
utterly,
downright,
one hundred per cent (informal),
undisputedly,
lock, stock and barrel,
al2gethr
Synonyms of 'just'
just
Explore 'just' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of appropriate
Definition
right or suitable
It is appropriate that Irish names dominate the list.
Synonyms
suitable,
right,
fitting,
fit,
suited,
correct,
belonging,
relevant,
proper,
to the point,
in keeping,
apt,
applicable,
pertinent,
befitting,
well-suited,
well-timed,
apposite,
apropos,
opportune (formal),
becoming,
seemly,
felicitous,
germane,
to the purpose,
appurtenant,
congruous,
meet (archaic)
in the sense of apt
Definition
suitable or appropriate
The words of this report are as apt today as they were in 1929.
Synonyms
appropriate,
timely,
right,
seemly,
fitting,
fit,
related,
correct,
belonging,
suitable,
relevant,
proper,
to the point,
applicable,
pertinent,
befitting,
apposite,
apropos,
opportune (formal),
germane,
to the purpose,
meet (archaic)
in the sense of blameless
a blameless life
Synonyms
innocent,
clear,
clean,
upright,
stainless,
honest,
immaculate,
impeccable,
virtuous,
faultless,
squeaky-clean,
unblemished,
unsullied,
uninvolved,
unimpeachable,
untarnished,
above suspicion,
irreproachable,
guiltless,
unspotted,
unoffending
in the sense of but
Definition
only
St Anton is but a snowball's throw away from Lech.
Synonyms
only,
just,
simply,
merely
in the sense of completely
Dozens of flats have been completely destroyed.I have fallen completely in love with him.
Synonyms
totally,
entirely,
wholly,
utterly,
quite,
perfectly,
fully,
solidly,
absolutely,
altogether,
thoroughly,
in full,
every inch,
en masse,
heart and soul,
a hundred per cent,
one hundred per cent,
from beginning to end,
down to the ground,
root and branch,
in toto,
from A to Z,
hook, line and sinker,
lock, stock and barrel
in the sense of condign
Synonyms
fitting,
just,
meet (archaic),
deserved,
appropriate,
suitable,
merited,
adequate,
richly-deserved
in the sense of conscientious
Definition
governed by conscience
I admired this noble, conscientious man.
Synonyms
honourable,
just,
responsible,
moral,
strict,
straightforward,
upright,
honest,
scrupulous,
high-minded,
incorruptible,
high-principled
in the sense of decent
Definition
fitting or proper
After a decent interval they invited their new neighbours round for dinner.
Synonyms
proper,
becoming,
seemly,
fitting,
fit,
appropriate,
suitable,
respectable,
befitting,
decorous,
comme il faut
in the sense of deserved
Definition
rightfully earned
Her reputation for political skill is well deserved.
Synonyms
well-earned,
just,
right,
meet (archaic),
fitting,
due,
fair,
earned,
appropriate,
justified,
suitable,
merited,
proper,
warranted,
rightful,
justifiable,
condign
in the sense of due
Definition
fitting or proper
Treat them with due attention.
Synonyms
fitting,
deserved,
appropriate,
just,
right,
becoming,
fit,
justified,
suitable,
merited,
proper,
obligatory,
rightful,
requisite,
well-earned,
bounden
Additional synonyms
in the sense of entirely
The two cases are entirely different.
Synonyms
completely,
totally,
perfectly,
absolutely,
fully,
altogether,
thoroughly,
wholly,
utterly,
every inch,
without exception,
unreservedly,
in every respect,
without reservation,
lock, stock and barrel
in the sense of equitable
Definition
fair and reasonable
the equitable distribution of social wealth
Synonyms
even-handed,
just,
right,
fair,
due,
reasonable,
proper,
honest,
impartial,
rightful,
unbiased,
dispassionate,
proportionate,
unprejudiced,
nondiscriminatory
in the sense of exact
Definition
correct in every detail
I can't remember the exact words he used.
Synonyms
accurate,
very,
correct,
true,
particular,
right,
express,
specific,
careful,
precise,
identical,
authentic,
faithful,
explicit,
definite,
orderly,
literal,
unequivocal,
faultless,
on the money (informal),
unerring,
veracious
in the sense of fair-minded
She is one of the most fair-minded people I know.
Synonyms
impartial,
just,
fair,
reasonable,
open-minded,
disinterested,
unbiased,
even-handed,
unprejudiced
in the sense of faithful
Definition
accurate in detail
His screenplay is faithful to the novel.
Synonyms
accurate,
just,
close,
true,
strict,
exact,
precise
in the sense of good
Definition
morally excellent
The president is a good man.
Synonyms
honourable,
moral,
worthy,
ethical,
upright,
admirable,
honest,
righteous,
exemplary,
right,
virtuous,
trustworthy,
altruistic,
praiseworthy,
estimable
in the sense of hardly
Definition
scarcely
Nick, on the sofa, hardly slept.
Synonyms
barely,
only just,
scarcely,
just,
faintly,
with difficulty,
infrequently,
with effort,
at a push (British, informal),
almost not
in the sense of honest
Definition
truthful and moral in behaviour
My dad was the most honest man I have ever met.
Synonyms
trustworthy,
decent,
upright,
reliable,
ethical,
honourable,
conscientious,
reputable,
truthful,
virtuous,
law-abiding,
trusty,
scrupulous,
high-minded,
veracious
in the sense of honourable
Definition
principled
I believe she is an honourable person.
Synonyms
principled,
moral,
ethical,
just,
true,
fair,
upright,
honest,
virtuous,
trustworthy,
trusty,
high-minded,
upstanding
in the sense of impartial
Definition
not favouring one side or the other
They offer impartial advice, guidance and information to students.
Synonyms
neutral,
objective,
detached,
just,
fair,
equal,
open-minded,
equitable,
disinterested,
unbiased,
even-handed,
nonpartisan,
unprejudiced,
without fear or favour,
nondiscriminating
Additional synonyms
in the sense of lately
Definition
in recent times
His health hasn't been too good lately.
Synonyms
recently,
of late,
just now,
in recent times,
not long ago,
latterly
in the sense of lawful
Definition
allowed, recognized, or sanctioned by law
lawful for the doctors to treat her in whatever way they considered best
Synonyms
legal,
constitutional,
just,
proper,
valid,
warranted,
legitimate,
authorized,
rightful,
permissible,
legalized,
allowable,
licit
in the sense of legitimate
Definition
based on correct or acceptable principles of reasoning
That's a perfectly legitimate fear.
Synonyms
reasonable,
just,
correct,
sensible,
valid,
warranted,
logical,
justifiable,
well-founded,
admissible
in the sense of merited
Her selection for the team was a surprise, but a merited one.
Synonyms
deserved,
justified,
warranted,
just,
earned,
appropriate,
entitled,
rightful,
condign,
rightly due
in the sense of nothing but
Definition
not something other than
All that money brought us nothing but misery.
Synonyms
just,
only,
simply,
merely
in the sense of only
Definition
merely
At the moment it's only a theory.
Synonyms
just,
simply,
purely,
merely,
no more than,
nothing but,
but,
at most,
at a push
in the sense of perfectly
These mushrooms are perfectly safe to eat.
Synonyms
completely,
totally,
entirely,
absolutely,
quite,
fully,
altogether,
thoroughly,
wholly,
utterly,
consummately,
every inch
in the sense of positively
He was positively furious.
Synonyms
really,
completely,
simply,
plain (informal),
absolutely,
thoroughly,
utterly,
downright
in the sense of precise
Definition
particular or exact
We will never know the precise details of his death.
Synonyms
exact,
specific,
actual,
particular,
express,
fixed,
correct,
absolute,
accurate,
explicit,
definite,
clear-cut,
literal,
unequivocal,
surgical
in the sense of precisely
That is precisely what I suggested.
Synonyms
just,
entirely,
absolutely,
altogether,
exactly,
in all respects
Additional synonyms
in the sense of proper
Definition
correct in behaviour
In those days it was not thought proper for a woman to be on the stage.
Synonyms
polite,
right,
becoming,
seemly,
fitting,
fit,
mannerly,
suitable,
decent,
gentlemanly,
refined,
respectable,
befitting,
genteel,
de rigueur,
ladylike,
meet (archaic),
decorous,
punctilious,
comme il faut
in the sense of proper
Definition
suited to a particular purpose
Please ensure that the proper procedures are followed.
Synonyms
correct,
accepted,
established,
appropriate,
right,
formal,
conventional,
accurate,
exact,
precise,
legitimate,
orthodox,
apt
in the sense of pure
Definition
innocent
pure and chaste thoughts
Synonyms
innocent,
virgin,
modest,
good,
true,
moral,
maidenly,
upright,
honest,
immaculate,
impeccable,
righteous,
virtuous,
squeaky-clean,
blameless,
chaste,
virginal,
unsullied,
guileless,
uncorrupted,
unstained,
undefiled,
unspotted
in the sense of quite
Definition
absolutely
It is quite clear that we were firing in self defence.
Synonyms
absolutely,
perfectly,
completely,
totally,
fully,
entirely,
precisely,
considerably,
wholly,
in all respects,
without reservation
in the sense of really
I really do feel that some people are being unfair.
Synonyms
certainly,
absolutely,
undoubtedly,
genuinely,
positively,
categorically,
without a doubt,
assuredly,
verily,
surely
in the sense of reasonable
Definition
not making unfair demands
a perfectly reasonable decision
Synonyms
fair,
just,
right,
acceptable,
moderate,
sensible,
equitable,
justifiable,
well-advised,
well-thought-out,
tenable
in the sense of regular
Definition
following a set rule or normal practice
The regular method is to take your cutting, and insert it into the compost.
Synonyms
official,
standard,
established,
traditional,
classic,
correct,
approved,
formal,
sanctioned,
proper,
prevailing,
orthodox,
time-honoured,
bona fide
in the sense of right
Definition
morally or legally acceptable or correct
It's not right, leaving her like this.
Synonyms
just,
good,
fair,
moral,
proper,
ethical,
upright,
honourable,
honest,
equitable,
righteous,
virtuous,
lawful
in the sense of righteous
Definition
moral, just, or virtuous
She concluded that it was impossible to find one righteous person.
Synonyms
virtuous,
good,
just,
fair,
moral,
pure,
ethical,
upright,
honourable,
honest,
equitable,
law-abiding,
squeaky-clean,
blameless
in the sense of rightful
Definition
held by virtue of a legal or just claim
The car must be returned to its rightful owner.
Synonyms
lawful,
just,
real,
true,
due,
legal,
suitable,
proper,
valid,
legitimate,
authorized,
bona fide,
de jure
Additional synonyms
in the sense of unprejudiced
Definition
free from bias
There must be a few honest and unprejudiced lawyers around.
Synonyms
impartial,
fair,
objective,
just,
balanced,
unbiased,
even-handed,
fair-minded,
nonpartisan,
uninfluenced
in the sense of upright
Definition
honest or just
a very upright, trustworthy man
Synonyms
honest,
good,
principled,
just,
true,
faithful,
ethical,
straightforward,
honourable,
righteous,
conscientious,
virtuous,
trustworthy,
high-minded,
above board,
incorruptible,
unimpeachable
in the sense of virtuous
Definition
morally good
The president is portrayed as a virtuous family man.