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just

Pronunciation: /dʒʌst/
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Definition of just

adjective

  • based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair:a just and democratic society fighting for a just cause
  • (of treatment) deserved or appropriate in the circumstances:we all get our just deserts
  • (of an opinion or appraisal) well founded; justifiable:these simplistic approaches have been the subject of just criticism

adverb

  • 1exactly:that’s just what I need you’re a human being, just like everyone else
  • exactly or almost exactly at this or that moment:she’s just coming we were just finishing breakfast
  • 2very recently; in the immediate past:I’ve just seen the local paper
  • 3barely; by a little:inflation fell to just over 4 per cent I only just caught the train
  • 4simply; only; no more than:just a bad day in the office they were just interested in making money
  • really; absolutely (used for emphasis):they’re just great
  • used as a polite formula for giving permission or making a request:just help yourselves
  • [with modal] possibly (used to indicate a slight chance of something happening or being true):it might just help
  • 5expressing agreement:‘Simon really messed things up.’ ‘Didn’t he just?’

Phrases

just about

informal almost exactly; nearly:he can do just about anything

just as well

a good or fortunate thing:it was just as well I didn’t know at the time

just in case

see case1.

just a minute (or moment, or second, etc.)

used to ask someone to wait or pause for a short time: just a minute—my friend’s left something behind
used to interrupt someone, especially in protest or disagreement: ‘They know what to do.’ ‘Now just a moment!’ the American interrupted

just now

  • 1at this moment:it’s pretty hectic just now
  • 2a little time ago:she was talking to me just now
  • 3South African in a little while; very soon:I’ll come just now but I want breakfast first

just on

(with reference to time and numbers) exactly:it was just on midnight

just so

  • 1arranged or done very neatly and carefully:polishing the furniture and making everything just so
  • 2 formal used to express agreement: ‘And to limit the hours,’ Jasper added. ‘Just so.’

Derivatives

justness

noun

Origin:

late Middle English: via Old French from Latin justus, from jus 'law, right'

Grammar

This adverb has two meanings: a short time ago:He and his wife have just arrived here. only:I just had time to see my mother and sister off. Sometimes it is not clear which of the two meanings is intended:I’ve just bought this little flask. Does this mean that the speaker only bought the flask and nothing else? Or that the speaker has bought it very recently? If you wish to be absolutely precise you may have to replace just, and/or add other words:I only bought this little flask—nothing else. I bought this little flask just now.

just in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of just in the US English dictionary

Nearby words

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