just
19 synonyms and 1 antonyms for just, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Fair, morally right, and reasonable.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin iustus, "just, lawful, proper," related to ius, "law, right."
Full origin of just →Frequently asked questions
What does “just” mean?
The word “just” means fair, morally right, and reasonable. In plain terms, depending on context: fair and right (adjective), or simply/exactly/very recently (adverb).
How do you pronounce “just”?
“Just” is pronounced juhst (/d͡ʒʌst/ in IPA).
How do you use “just” in a sentence?
Here is “just” used in a sentence: “The judge tried to reach a just decision for both sides.”
What is another word for “just”?
Words with a similar meaning to “just” include right, correct, righteous, equitable, proper and adequate.
What is the opposite of “just”?
The opposite of “just” — its antonyms — is unjust.
What part of speech is “just”?
Depending on how it is used, “just” can be an adjective and an adverb.
Where does the word “just” come from?
The word “just” comes from Latin. From Latin iustus, "just, lawful, proper," related to ius, "law, right.".
Is “just” a common word?
“Just” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between "just" and "only"?
Both can mean "merely": "It's just a scratch" and "It's only a scratch" say the same thing. "Only" is the usual choice for restriction ("Only members may enter"), while "just" also commonly refers to something that happened a moment ago ("I've just arrived"), a sense "only" does not share.
When does "just" mean fair rather than merely?
As an adjective, "just" means fair, morally right, and reasonable, as in "a just decision" or "a just society." As an adverb it means "only" or "simply," as in "just a minute." Its position — before a noun versus before a verb or phrase — usually makes the sense clear.
Is it "I just ate" or "I have just eaten"?
Both are correct. British English tends to prefer the present perfect ("I've just eaten"), while American English commonly uses the simple past ("I just ate") for the same very recent event.
Where should "just" go in a sentence?
Place "just" directly before the word or phrase it limits, because its position changes the meaning: "I just called to say hi" (merely called) versus "I called just to say hi" (for that reason only). Everyday speech is looser about this, but careful writing benefits from precise placement.