just
[adverb]
Synonyms:
- exactly, absolutely, completely, entirely, perfectly, precisely
- recently, hardly, lately, only now, scarcely
- merely, by the skin of one's teeth, only, simply, solely
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- fair, conscientious, equitable, fair-minded, good, honest, upright, virtuous
- proper, appropriate, apt, deserved, due, fitting, justified, merited, rightful

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Antonyms: unjust
Contrasted words: farfetched, irrelevant, remote, unconnected, improper, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate, abusive, cruel, harsh, almost, nearly, approximately, imprecisely, inaccurately, inexactly, loosely, copiously, fully, generously, lavishly, unstintedly, unstintingly
Related Idioms: nothing but
Related Words: fit, fitting, meet, proper, rigid, strict, dependable, reliable, tried, trustworthy, aloof, condign, due, rightful, definitely, directly, expressly, unmistakably, almost, approximately, nearly

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English Thesaurus: exactly, precisely, just, right, directly, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. just¹ S1 W1 /dʒəst; strong dʒʌst/ adverb

1. exactly:
A good strong cup of coffee is just what I need right now.
The house was large and roomy; just right for us.
She looks just like her mother.
Just what do you think you’re trying to do?
just on British English:
It’s just on three o'clock.
Just then (=exactly at that moment), Mrs Robovitch appeared at the bedroom door.
Just as (=at the exact moment when) I opened the door, the telephone started to ring.
A nice hot bath – just the thing (=exactly the right thing) to relax sore muscles.

2. nothing more than the thing, amount, action etc that you are mentioning Synonym : only:
It’s nothing serious – just a small cut.
Don’t be too hard on him – he’s just a kid.
Can you wait just a few minutes?
It’s not just me – there are other people involved as well.

REGISTER
In written English, people often prefer to use simply rather than just, which sounds rather informal:
It’s simply a question of priorities.

3. only a short time ago:
John’s just told me that he’s getting married.
I’ve just been out shopping.

4. at this moment or at that moment:
Wait a minute – I’m just coming.
He was just leaving when the phone rang.
I’m just finishing my homework – it won’t take long.
The concert was just about to start.

5. used to emphasize what you are saying:
It just isn’t true.
I just love being in the mountains.
It was just wonderful to see Joyce again.
I just wish I could believe you.

6. only by a small amount, time, distance etc
just before/after/over etc
We moved here just after our son was born.
I saw her just before she died.
It’s just under three centimetres long.

7. used to show that something which happens almost does not happen Synonym : barely, hardly:
He just managed to get home before dark.
We could just see the coast of France in the distance.
Those pants only just fit you now.
She was earning just enough money to live on (=enough but not more than enough).

8. just about almost:
The plums are just about ripe now.
Just about everybody will be affected by the tax increases.

9. just as good/bad/big etc equally as good, bad, big etc:
Brad is just as good as the others.
I love this country just as much as you do.

10. just have to do something used to say that someone has to do something because nothing else is possible:
We’ll just have to watch and see what happens.
You just have to accept things and get on with your life.

11. not just any used to emphasize that you are talking about a particular thing or person that is especially good or important:
For the best results, use olive oil. Not just any olive oil, mind – only the finest quality will do.

12. would just as soon if you would just as soon do something, you would prefer to do it:
I’d just as soon stay at home – I don’t really enjoy parties.

13. may just/might just might possibly:
You could try Renee. She might just know where they live now.
It may just have been a coincidence.

14. not just yet not now, but probably soon:
I can’t leave just yet. I’ve still got a couple of letters to write.

15. just because ... it doesn’t mean used to say that, although one thing is true, another thing is not necessarily true:
Just because you’re older than me, it doesn’t mean you can tell me what to do.


SPOKEN PHRASES

16. just a minute/second/moment
a) used to ask someone to wait for a short time while you do something:
Just a minute, I’ll see if I can find it for you.
b) used to interrupt someone in order to ask them something, disagree with them etc:
Just a minute! How do I know you’re not telling me a pack of lies?

17.
a) used when politely asking something or telling someone to do something:
Could I just say a few words before we start?
Would you just explain to us how the system works.
b) used when firmly telling someone to do something:
Look, just shut up for a minute!
Now, just listen to what I’m telling you.

18. it’s just that used when explaining the reason for something, especially when someone thinks there is a different reason:
No, I do like Chinese food. It’s just that I’m not hungry.

19. just now
a) a very short time ago:
Where have my glasses gone? I had them just now.
b) especially British English at this moment:
We’re busy just now – can you come back later?

20. just think/imagine/look used to tell someone to imagine or look at the same thing that you are imagining or looking at:
Just think – in a week we’ll be lying on a beach in the sun!

21. it’s/that’s just as well used to say that it is fortunate that something is true or happened because otherwise there would be problems:
It’s just as well we’d prepared everything beforehand.

22. isn’t she just/aren’t they just etc old-fashioned used to strongly agree with something someone has said about a person or thing:
‘He’s a selfish, rude, ignorant man!’ ‘Isn’t he just!’

23. just so
a) with everything arranged neatly and tidily:
Her house always has to be just so.
b) old-fashioned used to say yes or agree with something:
‘You should have beaten them, shouldn’t you?’ ‘Just so.’
⇒ just the same at same²(3), ⇒ just in case at case¹(7), ⇒ just my luck at luck¹(12), ⇒ might just as well at might¹(9)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. just² /dʒʌst/ adjective
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: juste, from Latin justus, from jus 'right, law']

1. morally right and fair:
Henry sincerely believed that he was fighting a just war.
a just settlement
Charlemagne was respected as a just ruler.

2. deserved by someone:
a just reward for their loyal service
What would be a just punishment for such a crime?
I hope that he’s caught and gets his just deserts (=is punished in the way he deserves).
—justly adverb:
These men are criminals, but they must be dealt with justly.
an achievement of which we can be justly proud

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

just
adverb
BAD: In the evening you should practise what you just have learned during the day.
GOOD: In the evening you should practise what you have just learned during the day.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

exactly used when emphasizing that something is no more and no less than a number or amount, or is completely correct in every detail:
The bill came to exactly $1,000.
Police are still trying to find out exactly how the accident happened.
precisely exactly – used when it is important to be sure that something is completely correct in every detail:
We need to know precisely how much this is going to cost.
Can you tell us precisely where he is?
What precisely do you mean by ‘relativity’?
just especially spoken exactly – used especially when saying that things are exactly right, exactly the same, or exactly in a particular position:
The frame is just the right size for the picture.
He and his brother are just the same.
The hotel is just next to the station.
A new handbag! That’s just what I wanted.
right exactly in a particular position or direction:
The ball hit me right in the eye!
There’s the house, right in front of you.
I got a mosquito bite right on the end of my nose.
He sat down right beside her.
directly exactly in a particular position or direction Directly is more formal than right:
Amy was sitting directly opposite me.
on the dot informal at exactly a particular time, and no earlier or later than that time:
She always leaves the office at 5.30 p.m. on the dot.
bang British English informal exactly – used especially in the following very informal expressions:
The train was bang on time.
The shot was bang on target.
Cockatoo Island is right bang in the middle of Sydney harbour.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

fair treating people equally or in the way that is right:
It’s not fair that she gets paid more than me.
Everyone has the right to a fair trial.
just formal morally right and fair:
a just punishment
a just cause
a just society
Do you think it was a just war?
reasonable fair and sensible according to most people’s standards:
a reasonable request
Lateness, without a reasonable excuse, will not be tolerated.
balanced giving fair and equal treatment to all sides of an argument or subject:
Balanced reporting of the news is essential.
even-handed giving fair and equal treatment to everyone, especially when it would be easy to favour one particular group:
The drama takes an even-handed look at the consequences of violent crime, both on attackers and their victims.
The film is even-handed and does not try to make you support either side.
equitable /ˈekwətəbəl, ˈekwɪtəbəl/ formal giving equal treatment to everyone involved:
We need an equitable solution to this problem.
a more equitable distribution of wealth
exhibition an event at which a collection of paintings, interesting objects etc are shown to the public for a period of time:
All the photographs in the exhibition are for sale.
The Great Outdoors Exhibition is a great place to find out about new outdoors activities.
show an exhibition. Show is less formal than exhibition. It can be used about small events as well as big public ones:
The artist is preparing a show at the Museum of Modern Art.
He is putting on a one-man show in a local gallery.
a trade show
the London Motor Show at Earl’s Court
exhibit American English an exhibition:
an exhibit of Western paintings and sculptures
exposition a large and important public event at which people or businesses show or sell their products:
177 galleries from nineteen countries will take part in the Chicago International Art Exposition.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

recently not long ago, especially a few days, weeks, or months ago:
The President has recently returned from a tour of South America.
A new species of plant was recently discovered in Brazil.
lately especially spoken during the recent past, especially during the weeks or days closest to now:
I’ve been really busy lately so I haven’t been out much.
There hasn’t been much in the news lately.
just especially spoken a very short time ago, especially only a few minutes, hours, days, or weeks ago:
John’s just gone out.
They’ve just had a new baby.
a short/little while ago especially spoken not long ago – often used when you are not sure exactly when:
That house was sold a short while ago.
I looked in on her a little while ago and she was fast asleep.
the other day spoken recently, especially only a few days ago:
I met Lucy in town the other day.
You’ll never guess what happened to me the other day.
freshly made, prepared, done etc not long ago – used especially about food and drink. Also used about things that have just been painted, washed, or dug:
freshly baked bread
freshly squeezed orange juice
The boat had been freshly painted.
newly created, built, married etc not long ago:
the newly created position of Chief Designer
a newly married couple
their newly elected president

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

right not wrong – used about something someone says, or about the person who says it:
the right answer
You were right about the colour.
‘He’s about thirty, isn’t he?’ ‘That’s right.’
correct right. Correct sounds more formal than right:
the correct answer
He is absolutely correct.
Unfortunately, this information is not correct.
accurate right – used about information, measurements, descriptions etc:
Make sure that your measurements are accurate.
an accurate description of the suspect
exact an exact number, amount, or time is completely correct, and is no more and no less than it should be:
The exact time is 9.28 a.m.
The exact weight of the baby was 3.3 kilos.
spot-on British English spoken informal exactly right – used especially about guesses or things people say:
His answer was spot-on.
You’re spot-on.
exactly used when emphasizing that something is no more and no less than a number or amount, or is completely correct in every detail:
The bill came to exactly $1,000.
Police are still trying to find out exactly how the accident happened.
precisely exactly – used when it is important to be sure that something is completely correct in every detail:
We need to know precisely how much this is going to cost.
Can you tell us precisely where he is?
What precisely do you mean by ‘relativity’?
just especially spoken exactly – used especially when saying that things are exactly right, exactly the same, or exactly in a particular position:
The frame is just the right size for the picture.
He and his brother are just the same.
The hotel is just next to the station.
A new handbag! That’s just what I wanted.
directly exactly in a particular position or direction Directly is more formal than right:
Amy was sitting directly opposite me.
on the dot informal at exactly a particular time, and no earlier or later than that time:
She always leaves the office at 5.30 p.m. on the dot.
bang British English informal exactly – used especially in the following very informal expressions:
The train was bang on time.
The shot was bang on target.
Cockatoo Island is right bang in the middle of Sydney harbour.
have a right
People have a right to know the truth.
violate sb’s rights formal (=stop them doing something they have a right to do)
Imprisoning the men without trial violated their rights.
exercise a right formal (=do what you have a right to do)
The insurance company decided not to exercise its right of appeal.
deny somebody a right (=not allow someone to do something they have the right to do )
Women were denied the right to vote.
demand a right (=ask for it firmly)
We demand the same rights that other European workers enjoy.
defend a right (=take action to stop a right being taken away)
We should defend our right to demonstrate.
uphold sb’s rights (=defend their rights)
I will uphold the rights of the people of this country.
human rights (=the rights that everyone should have)
This company always operates with respect for human rights.
civil rights (=the rights that every person in a society should have)
As a young man, he was deeply involved in the struggle for civil rights.
the civil rights movement
equal rights
Women demanded equal rights.
a fundamental/basic right
The law recognises a man’s fundamental right to defend his home and his property.
a legal right
Banks have the legal right to recover their money.
a constitutional right
Teachers have a constitutional right to join a union.
political rights
Slaves had no political rights.
women’s rights
New laws have been passed to protect women’s rights.
workers’ rights
The company’s actions are a violation of workers’ rights.
gay/lesbian rights
a gay rights campaigner
animal rights
Animal rights campaigners say the dogs are being bred in terrible conditions.
a right of appeal (=the right to ask for an official decision to be changed)
In these circumstances, there is no right of appeal.
the right to privacy (=the right to be free from public attention)
The judge decided that the media’s actions violated the couple’s right to privacy.
a right of access (=the right to enter a place, use something, or see someone)
You have rights of access to data held about you.
a right of reply (also the right to reply) (=the right to say or write something in answer to a criticism)
People should have the right of reply when a magazine has published letters criticizing them.
the right to freedom of expression
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲