Just — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˈjəst/

Meaning & Definition of Just

Just (adjective)

  1. having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason, reasonable
  2. conforming to a standard of correctness, proper
  3. faithful to an original

Just (adverb)

  1. exactly, precisely
  2. very recently
  3. by a very small margin, barely

Just (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. in the same manner

    "you can do it just the way they do"

    similar: exactly, precisely, to a T
    related: even, expressly, faultlessly, perfectly, identically, uniformly, alike, likewise, similarly
    near: slightly, somewhat, vaguely, differently, variably

  2. by a very small margin

    "I was just over the minimum age requirement for the senior citizen discount"

    similar: barely, hardly, marginally, narrowly, scarcely, slightly, by the skin of one's teeth
    related: minimally, minutely, scantly, almost, approximately, closely, more or less, nearly, partly, plus or minus, roughly, somewhat
    opposite: considerably, significantly, substantially, vastly, well
    near: definitely, easily, plainly, positively, quite, unquestionably, abundantly, completely, copiously, fully, generously, greatly

  3. nothing more than

    "I was just kidding"

    similar: but, merely, only, purely, simply

  4. as stated or indicated without the slightest difference

    "the length of the curtain is just right"

    similar: due, exactly, full, precisely, right, sharp, smack-dab, squarely, on the button, on the nose

  5. for nothing other than

    "got this present just for you"

    similar: alone, exclusively, only, purely, simply, solely
    related: basically, by and large, chiefly, generally, largely, mainly, mostly, predominantly, primarily, principally, substantially
    near: additionally, also, besides, likewise

  6. not long ago

    "I just bought this dress"

    similar: freshly, late, lately, new, newly, now, only, recently, of late
    related: latterly
    opposite: anciently
    near: ago, before, earlier, early, erstwhile, formerly, previously, heretofore, hitherto

Just (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being what is called for by accepted standards of right and wrong

    "a just punishment should fit the crime"

    similar: competent, condign, deserved, due, fair, justified, merited, right, rightful, warranted
    related: applicable, appropriate, apt, fit, fitting, meet, proper, requisite, suitable, lawful, legal, legitimate, accurate, correct, true, rhadamanthine, strict, stringent, uncompromising, equitable, impartial, square
    opposite: undeserved, undue, unfair, unjust, unjustified, unmerited, unwarranted
    near: incoherent, incorrect, irrelative, irrelevant, improper, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, indefensible, unjustifiable, unreasonable, unsuitable, biased, inequitable, partial, unequal, arbitrary, despotic, illegitimate, unlawful

  2. based on sound reasoning or information

    "there are just reasons for the state's ban of the private use of fireworks"

    similar: commonsense, commonsensible, commonsensical, firm, good, hard, informed, justified, levelheaded, logical, rational, reasonable, reasoned, sensible, sober, solid, valid, well-founded
    related: actual, real, true, certain, sure, certified, validated, verified, confirmed, corroborated, substantiated, cogent, convincing, colorable, credible, plausible
    opposite: groundless, illogical, invalid, irrational, nonrational, nonsensical, nonvalid, unfounded, uninformed, unjustified, unreasonable, unreasoned, unsound
    near: unsubstantiated, unsupported, unwarranted, flimsy, implausible, unconvincing, weak, fallacious, false, misguided, misled

  3. conforming to a high standard of morality or virtue

    "they are a just people who are guided by a firm belief in God and a love of traditional values"

    similar: all right, decent, ethical, good, honest, honorable, moral, nice, right, right-minded, righteous, straight, true, upright, virtuous
    related: correct, decorous, proper, seemly, high-minded, noble, principled, commendable, creditable, exemplary, legitimate, esteemed, law-abiding, menschy, reputable, respected, upstanding, worthy, blameless, clean, guiltless, immaculate, incorrupt, incorruptible, innocent, inoffensive, irreproachable, unobjectionable, angelic, lily-white, pure, scrupulous, spotless, uncorrupted, unerring, goody-goody, moralistic, pharisaical, rectitudinous, sanctimonious, self-righteous
    opposite: bad, dishonest, dishonorable, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent, sinful, unethical, unrighteous, wicked, wrong
    near: improper, incorrect, indecorous, naughty, unbecoming, unseemly, corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, libertine, perverted, reprobate, unprincipled, unscrupulous, atrocious, infamous, villainous, base, low, mean, vicious, vile, blameworthy, objectionable, offensive, iniquitous, nefarious, errant, erring, fallen

  4. following the accepted rules of moral conduct

    "the sort of just conduct that we expect of every soldier"

    similar: decent, ethical, honest, honorable, noble, principled, respectable, righteous, stand-up, upright, upstanding
    related: blameless, guiltless, irreproachable, unassailable, unimpeachable, chivalrous, classy, high-minded, menschy, right-minded, conscientious, fair, good, incorruptible, moral, reputable, respected, scrupulous, uncorrupted, virtuous, decorous, nice, polite, proper, seemly
    opposite: base, dishonest, dishonorable, ignoble, low, unethical, unjust, unprincipled, unrighteous, unworthy
    near: bad, blackguardly, corrupt, criminal, crooked, evil, immoral, iniquitous, knavish, mean, nefarious, rascally, reprehensible, roguish, rotten, scoundrelly, sinful, unfair, unscrupulous, vile, villainous, wicked, wretched, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, culpable, debased, debauched, decadent, degenerate, degraded, demoralized, depraved, disgraceful, disreputable, dissipated, dissolute, libertine, loose, perverse, perverted, profligate, reprobate, shameful, venal

  5. guided by or in accordance with one's sense of right and wrong

    "stopping to help a stranded motorist is simply the just thing to do"

    similar: conscientious, conscionable, ethical, honest, honorable, moral, principled, scrupulous
    related: decent, good, righteous, right-minded, straight, upright, virtuous, dutiful, observant, respectful, overconscientious, reliable, responsible, solid, tried-and-true, true, trustworthy, trusty, esteemed, law-abiding, reputable, respected, upstanding, worthy
    opposite: cutthroat, dishonest, dishonorable, immoral, unconscionable, unethical, unjust, unprincipled, unscrupulous
    near: bad, evil, evil-minded, immoral, indecent, sinful, unrighteous, wicked, unreliable, untrustworthy, corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, perverted, reprobate, atrocious, infamous, villainous, base, low, mean, vicious, vile, iniquitous, nefarious

  6. marked by justice, honesty, and freedom from bias

    "a just appraisal of the political situation over there"

    similar: candid, disinterested, dispassionate, equal, equitable, evenhanded, fair, impartial, indifferent, nonpartisan, objective, square, unbiased, unprejudiced
    related: frank, forthright, open, straight, straightforward, balanced, rational, reasonable
    opposite: biased, ex parte, inequitable, nonobjective, one-sided, partial, parti pris, partisan, prejudiced, unjust
    near: deceitful, deceptive, dishonest, arbitrary, unconscionable, unreasonable, jaundiced, unfriendly, unsympathetic, colored, distorted, warped

Related Entry: Just about (phrase)

Just about is a different word from Just. The synonyms below are for just about, not for just.

  1. very close to but not completely

    "Ralph was just about finished with the paperwork when the doctor called his name."

    similar: about, all but, almost, borderline, fair (chiefly British), fairly, feckly (chiefly Scottish), more or less, most, much, near, nearly, next to, nigh, practically, somewhere, virtually, well-nigh, as good as, pretty much, within an inch of
    related: appreciably, by and large, chiefly, largely, mainly, mostly, kind of, partially, partly, somewhat
    near: absolutely, altogether, completely, entirely, fully, plain, plumb (chiefly dialect), quite, thoroughly, totally, utterly, well, wholly, barely, hardly, scarcely

Related Entry: All the same (phrase)

All the same is a different word from Just. The synonyms below are for all the same, not for just.

  1. in spite of that

    "She wasn't really fond of dogs. All the same, she let her roommate get one."

    similar: even so, howbeit, however, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, still, still and all, though, withal, yet, at the same time
    related: after all, anyhow, regardless, per contra

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Just

The most common words with a similar meaning to Just:

exactly, precisely, barely, hardly, marginally, narrowly, scarcely, slightly, but, merely, only, purely, simply, due, full, right, sharp, smack-dab, squarely, alone, exclusively, solely, freshly, late, lately, new, newly, now, recently, to a T, by the skin of one's teeth, on the button, on the nose, of late, competent, condign, deserved, fair, justified, merited

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Just

Words with the opposite meaning of Just:

considerably, significantly, substantially, vastly, well, anciently, undeserved, undue, unfair, unjust, unjustified, unmerited, unwarranted, groundless, illogical, invalid, irrational, nonrational, nonsensical, nonvalid, unfounded, uninformed, unreasonable, unreasoned, unsound, bad, dishonest, dishonorable, evil, evil-minded

Related Words for Just

even, expressly, faultlessly, perfectly, identically, uniformly, alike, likewise, similarly, minimally, minutely, scantly, almost, approximately, closely, more or less, nearly, partly, plus or minus, roughly, somewhat, basically, by and large, chiefly, generally, largely, mainly, mostly, predominantly, primarily

Near Antonyms of Just

slightly, somewhat, vaguely, differently, variably, definitely, easily, plainly, positively, quite, unquestionably, abundantly, completely, copiously, fully, generously, greatly, additionally, also, besides, likewise, ago, before, earlier, early, erstwhile, formerly, previously, heretofore, hitherto

Word Forms of Just

Derived words: justly (adverb), justness (noun)

Origin & Etymology 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

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Just

Words & Phrases Containing Just

just about, just-folks, just-in-time, just a friend, just a minute/second/moment, just another, just another face in the crowd

Frequently Asked Questions about Just

What does "Just" mean?

"Just" means having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason, reasonable. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason, reasonable. It has 12 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Just"?

Other words for "Just" include exactly, precisely, barely, hardly, marginally, narrowly, scarcely and slightly. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Just" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Just"?

There are 212 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Just". Common alternatives include exactly, precisely, barely, hardly, marginally, narrowly, scarcely, slightly, but and merely.

What is the opposite of "Just"?

Antonyms of "Just" include considerably, significantly, substantially, vastly, well, anciently, undeserved and undue. Near antonyms include slightly, somewhat, vaguely and differently.

How do you use "Just" in a sentence?

Examples of "Just" in a sentence: "you can do it just the way they do"; "I was just over the minimum age requirement for the senior citizen discount"; "I was just kidding".

Is "Just" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Just" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

Is "Just" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Just" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Just"?

"Just" is pronounced /ˈjəst/.