just
Just (adj) means Fair, morally right, and reasonable. Example: “The judge tried to reach a just decision for both sides.”
How to use just
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: fair and right (adjective), or simply/exactly/very recently (adverb).
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
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 →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for just
See all rhymes for 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.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing just in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
They just disagree about whether that's evidence of a coming catastrophe or a normal adjustment period within a still-healthy labor market.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include just: