just

1 of 3

adjective

ˈjəst 

1

a

: having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason : reasonable

had just reason to believe he was in danger

b

: conforming to a standard of correctness : proper

just proportions

c

archaic : faithful to an original

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

justly adverb

justness

ˈjəs(t)-nəs 

noun

just

2 of 3

adverb

ˈjəst 

ˈjist,

ˈjest,

 also without  t

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

3 of 3

ˈjəst  ˈjüst 

archaic variant of joust

Phrases

just about

: almost

the work is just about done

Synonyms

Adjective

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

Adverb

• exactly
• precisely

Choose the Right Synonym for 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, or 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

Examples of just in a Sentence

Adjective

a just cause for war

The college treated the allegation with just seriousness.

They got their just punishment for the crime.

Adverb

The store has just the tool you need.

That's just what I expected.

You have to accept me just as I am.

This shirt fits just right.

She called him a liar and told him he was just like all the other men she'd met.

He was just here a minute ago.

She had just returned when he entered.

I was just going to telephone you!

She's just finishing a letter, and she'll be with you shortly.

I arrived just in time to see him win.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Stunned by what a dog's microchip revealed, a rescue organization stepped in to save the pooch just days before she was scheduled for euthanasia. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2024

With just hours remaining in the race, both candidates are working to sway undecided voters and make their final pitches in their bids for the White House. —Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024

Adverb

The intensity between Paul (10-1, 7 KOs) and Tyson (50-6, 44 knockouts) has continued to build, as just last night, the 58-year-old slapped Paul across his left cheek as the two came face to face during the pre-fight weigh-in. —Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024

In just the month of October 2022, current District 6 school board member Andrew Gonzales — who unseated the board's then-President Geronimo Rodriguez that year — raised almost $32,000. —Keri Heath, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Adverb

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

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing just

• fresh/just off the boat
• I'd (just) like to see him try
• it (just) so happens that
• just about
• just a friend
• just a minute/second/moment
• just another
• just another face in the crowd
• just anyone
• just as
• just as well
• just because
• just deserts
• just-folks
• just for fun
• (just) for kicks
• just for the sake of it
• just friends
• just-in-time
• just like that
• just looking
• just now
• just on
• (just) one of those days
• just/only doing one's job
• just plain folks
• just reward
• just rewards
• just so
• just someone's luck
• just the right thing
• just the same
• just the thing
• just the ticket
• just this minute/second
• just what the doctor ordered
• just yet
• just (you) wait
• may I just say
• more than just a pretty face
• not just
• not just a/another pretty face
• not just/only/merely
• one's heart is (just) not in something
• wait/just a minute
• wait/just a moment
• would just as soon

Kids Definition

just

1 of 2 adjective

ˈjəst 

1

a

: well-founded, reasonable

a just comment

b

: being in agreement with a standard of correctness : proper

a just price

2

a

: morally right or good : righteous

a just cause for war

b

: being deserved

just punishment

3

: legally right

a just title

justly adverb

just

2 of 2 adverb

(ˌ)jəst 

(ˌ)jist,

(ˌ)jest

1

a

: exactly sense 1, precisely

just right

b

: very recently

the bell just rang

2

a

: by a small amount : barely

just over the line

b

: immediately sense 1, directly

just west of here

3

a

: nothing more than : only

just a note

b

: quite sense 1, very

just wonderful

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English just "reasonable, proper," from early French juste and Latin justus (same meaning), from Latin jus "right, law" — related to judge, jury, prejudice

Legal Definition

just

adjective

: conforming to law or to the underlying principles of law: as

a

: conforming to reason or a standard of correctness

just sanctions cannot be excessive in relation to the offense

b

: conforming with what is deemed fair or good

the award of attorney's fees was just

the application of this rule retroactively is not just

justly adverb

justness noun

Etymology

Adjective

Latin justus lawful, merited, from jus right, law