English
just
Etymology 1

From Middle English juste, from Old French juste, from Latin iūstus, from itc-pro *jowestos, related to Latin iūs ("law, right"); ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-.

Pronunciation
  • (RP, America) IPA: /d͡ʒʌst/
  • (adverb, unstressed) IPA: /d͡ʒəs(t)/
  • IPA: /d͡ʒɛst/, /d͡ʒɪst/ (see jest, jist)
Adjective

just (comparative juster, superlative justest)

  1. Factually right, correct; factual.
    It is a just assessment of the facts.
  2. Rationally right, correct.
  3. Morally right; upright, righteous, equitable; fair.
    It looks like a just solution at first glance.
    • 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
      My lord, we know your grace to be a man
      Just and upright.
    • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC ↗, Colossians 4:1 ↗:
      Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
    • 1900 December – 1901 August, H[erbert] G[eorge] Wells, “chapter 23 ↗”, in The First Men in the Moon, London: George Newnes, […], published 1901, →OCLC ↗:
      Looking back over my previously written account of these things, I must insist that I have been altogether juster to Cavor than he has been to me.
  4. Proper, adequate.
Synonyms Antonyms Related terms Translations Translations Adverb

just (not comparable)

  1. Only, simply, merely.
    Just plant a few tomatoes, unless you can freeze or dry them.
    He calls it vermilion, but it's just red to me.
    • 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter VIII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y., London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC ↗:
      Philander went into the next room, which was just a lean-to hitched on to the end of the shanty, and came back with a salt mackerel that dripped brine like a rainstorm. Then he put the coffee pot on the stove and rummaged out a loaf of dry bread and some hardtack.
    1. Introduces a disappointing or surprising outcome that renders futile something previously mentioned.
      I spent two hours cooking my favorite recipe, just to burn the rice and ruin the meal.
      I helped him out just for him to betray me.
  2. (sentence adverb) Used to reduce the force of an imperative; simply.
    Just follow the directions on the box.
  3. Used to convey a less serious or formal tone
    I just called to say "hi".
  4. Used to show humility.
    Lord, we just want to thank You and praise Your Name.
  5. (degree) absolutely, positively
    It is just splendid!
    just fine
  6. Moments ago, recently.
    They just left, but you may leave a message at the desk.
    • 1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter VIII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y., London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC ↗:
      Philander went into the next room […] and came back with a salt mackerel […] . Next he put the mackerel in a fry-pan, and the shanty began to smell like a Banks boat just in from a v'yage.
  7. By a narrow margin; closely; nearly.
    The fastball just missed my head!
    The piece just might fit.
    • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 14, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC ↗:
      Nanny Broome was looking up at the outer wall.  Just under the ceiling there were three lunette windows, heavily barred and blacked out in the normal way by centuries of grime.
  8. Exactly, precisely, perfectly.
    He wants everything just right for the big day.
    • 1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The Fourteenth Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: Printed for Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC ↗:
      And having just enough, not covet more.
    • c. 1580 (date written), Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “[The Second Booke] Chapter 19”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC ↗, folio 122, recto ↗:
      The god Pan […] guided my hand so just to the heart of the beast.
    • c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merry Wiues of Windsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act IV, scene vi]:
      To-night, at Herne's oak, just 'twixt twelve and one.
Synonyms Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Interjection
  1. (slang) Expressing dismay or discontent.
Etymology 2

Variation of joust, presumably ultimately from Latin iuxta.

Pronunciation
  • (RP, America) IPA: /d͡ʒʌst/
Noun

just (plural justs)

  1. A joust, tournament.
Verb

just (justs, present participle justing; simple past and past participle justed)

  1. To joust, fight a tournament.
    • 1600, [Torquato Tasso], “The Third Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne”, in Edward Fairefax [i.e., Edward Fairfax], transl., Godfrey of Bulloigne, or The Recouerie of Ierusalem. […], London: […] Ar[nold] Hatfield, for I[saac] Iaggard and M[atthew] Lownes, →OCLC ↗, page 39 ↗:
      He iusts with her vnknowne whom he lou’d best, [...].


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