adj

just

juhst

adj

Fair, morally right, and reasonable.

"The judge tried to reach a just decision for both sides."

"It felt like a just punishment for the crime."

adv

Only, simply, or merely.

"I just wanted to say thank you."

Very recently, or a very short time ago.

"She just left the building a minute ago."

Exactly or precisely.

"That's just what I was thinking."

How to Use Just

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDepending on context: fair and right (adjective), or simply/exactly/very recently (adverb).

Common mistake

As an adverb, "just" is extremely flexible in meaning and position — pay attention to context, since "I just called" (recently) reads very differently from "just call me" (simply).

Word Forms

juster comparative, more just comparative, justed past tense, justs plural, justs singular, justest superlative, most just superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “just” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The judge tried to reach a _____ decision for both sides.

Etymology

From Latin iustus, "just, lawful, proper," related to ius, "law, right."

Synonyms

View more →

right correct righteous equitable proper adequate simply freshly lately newly narrowly hardly

Antonyms

unjust

Related Words

accurate abundant wrong left right very bad Christian

Rhymes for just

bust dust must rust lust oust gust trust crust joust Faust Foust

See all rhymes for just →

People Also Searched

right correct righteous equitable proper adequate simply freshly lately newly narrowly hardly