justify

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdʒʌstɪfʌɪ/

verb (justifies, justifying, justified)

[with object]
  • 1show or prove to be right or reasonable: the person appointed has fully justified our confidence
  • be a good reason for: the situation was grave enough to justify further investigation
  • 2 Theology declare or make righteous in the sight of God: one of the elect, justified by faith
  • 3 Printing adjust (a line of type or piece of text) so that the print fills a space evenly or forms a straight edge at the margin: in most European languages you justify text by adding space between letters and words

Derivatives

justificatory

adjective

justifier

noun

Origin:

Middle English (in the senses 'administer justice to' and 'inflict a judicial penalty on'): from Old French justifier, from Christian Latin justificare 'do justice to', from Latin justus (see just)

Spelling help

Remember that the ending of justify is spelled -ify.