justify
JUHS-tih-feye
Justify (verb) means to give a good reason or explanation for something. Example: “How can you justify leaving work early on such a busy day?”
verb
1
To give a good reason or explanation for something.
"How can you justify leaving work early on such a busy day?"
"He struggled to justify the huge expense to his boss."
"Can you justify skipping the meeting?"
2
To arrange text so that its lines align evenly along a margin or margins.
"Select the whole page and justify the text to make straight edges."
"Most word processors let you justify a paragraph with a single click."
"Justify the paragraph so it looks tidier on the page."
How to use justify
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo explain or defend a decision as reasonable, or to line text up neatly on a page.
Common pairings
justify a decision
justify the cost
justify text
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- justifies
- Past tense
- justified
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
How can you _____ leaving work early on such a busy day?
Etymology
From Old French justifier, from Late Latin justificare, "to make just," combining iustus, "just," with facere, "to make."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for justify
See all rhymes for justify →Frequently asked questions
What does “justify” mean?
The word “justify” means to give a good reason or explanation for something. In plain terms, to explain or defend a decision as reasonable, or to line text up neatly on a page.
How do you pronounce “justify”?
“Justify” is pronounced JUHS-tih-feye (/ˈd͡ʒʌstɪfaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “justify” in a sentence?
Here is “justify” used in a sentence: “He struggled to justify the huge expense to his boss.”
What is another word for “justify”?
Words with a similar meaning to “justify” include vindicate.
What part of speech is “justify”?
“Justify” is a verb.
Where does the word “justify” come from?
The word “justify” comes from Late Latin. From Old French justifier, from Late Latin justificare, "to make just," combining iustus, "just," with facere, "to make.".
Is “justify” a common word?
“Justify” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “justify” have?
“Justify” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to give a good reason or explanation for something.
What is the difference between "justify" and "explain"?
To "explain" is to make something clear or give reasons so it can be understood. To "justify" goes further, showing that an action or belief is right, reasonable, or acceptable, often in response to criticism.
What is the difference between "justify" and "rationalize"?
"Justify" means to give a genuinely good reason for something. "Rationalize" often implies inventing reasons to make a questionable action seem acceptable, so it can carry a more negative tone.
What is the difference between "justify" and "align" when formatting text?
When formatting text, "align" positions lines to the left, right, or centre, leaving one edge uneven. To "justify" text is to space the words so that lines sit flush along both margins, giving a clean block shape.
What is the difference between "justify" and "warrant"?
Both can mean to provide sufficient reason for something. "Warrant" often suggests that a situation calls for or deserves a particular response, as in "the evidence warrants further study," while "justify" emphasises defending a choice as right.
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