adj · adv · intj · noun · verb · 26 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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General-American, Received-Pronunciation:/d͡ʒʌst/
General-American:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
General-American:[d͡ʒʌst]
General-American:[d͡ʒʌs]
General-American:[d͡ʒəs]
rhymes with -ʌst
Northern-England:/d͡ʒʊst/
dialectal:/d͡ʒɛst/may be spelt jest, jist
dialectal:/d͡ʒɪst/may be spelt jest, jist
unstressed:/d͡ʒ(ə)s(t)/
CMU ARPABET:JH AH1 S T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:JH IH0 S T
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adj
Meaning 1
Factually right, correct; factual.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
It is a just assessment of the facts.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adj
Meaning 2
Rationally right, correct.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
It looks like a just solution at first glance.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adj
Meaning 4
Proper, adequate.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
5
adv
Meaning 5
Only, simply, merely.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
Just plant a few tomatoes, unless you can freeze or dry them.
He calls it vermilion, but it's just red to me.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
6
adv
Meaning 6
Only, simply, merely.
Introduces a disappointing or surprising outcome that renders futile something previously mentioned.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
I spent two hours cooking my favorite recipe, just to burn the rice and ruin the meal.
I helped him out, just for him to betray me.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
7
adv
Meaning 7
Used to reduce the force of an imperative; simply.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Qualifier: sentence adverb
Examples
Just follow the directions on the box.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
8
adv
Meaning 8
Used to increase the force of an imperative; simply, without questioning.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Qualifier: sentence adverb
Examples
I'm tired of playing games – just get it done.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
9
adv
Meaning 9
Used to convey a less serious or formal tone
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
I just called to say "hi".
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
10
adv
Meaning 10
Absolutely, positively.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Qualifier: degree
Examples
It is just splendid!
just fine
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
11
adv
Meaning 11
Barely, hardly, scarcely.
Moments ago, only very recently.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
They just left, but you may leave a message at the desk.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
12
adv
Meaning 12
Barely, hardly, scarcely.
By a narrow margin; closely; narrowly; almost not.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
The fastball just missed my head!
The fire department arrived just in time.
The piece just might fit.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
13
adv
Meaning 13
Exactly, precisely, perfectly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: not-comparable
Examples
He wants everything just right for the big day.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
14
intj
Meaning 14
Expressing dismay or discontent.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: slang
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
15
noun
Meaning 15
A joust, tournament.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
16
verb
Meaning 16
To joust, fight a tournament.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
17
adjective
Meaning 17
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a fair referee
fair deal
on a fair footing
a fair fight
by fair means or foul
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: fair
Antonyms: none provided
18
adjective
Meaning 18
fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
equitable treatment of all citizens
an equitable distribution of gifts among the children
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: equitable
Antonyms: none provided
19
adjective
Meaning 19
used especially of what is legally or ethically right or proper or fitting- A.Lincoln
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a just and lasting peace
a kind and just man
a just reward
his just inheritance
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: unjust
20
adjective satellite
Meaning 20
of moral excellence
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
a genuinely good person
a just cause
an upright and respectable man
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: good, upright
Antonyms: none provided
21
adverb
Meaning 21
only a very short time before- W.B.Yeats
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
they could barely hear the speaker
we hardly knew them
just missed being hit
had scarcely rung the bell when the door flew open
would have scarce arrived before she would have found some excuse to leave
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: barely, hardly, scarcely, scarce
Antonyms: none provided
22
adverb
Meaning 22
exactly at this moment or the moment described;
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
we've just finished painting the walls, so don't touch them
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
23
adverb
Meaning 23
and nothing more
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
I was merely asking
it is simply a matter of time
just a scratch
he was only a child
hopes that last but a moment
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: merely, simply, only, but
Antonyms: none provided
24
adverb
Meaning 24
only a moment ago
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
he has just arrived
the sun just now came out
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: just now
Antonyms: none provided
25
adverb
Meaning 25
indicating exactness or preciseness
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
he was doing precisely (or exactly) what she had told him to do
it was just as he said--the jewel was gone
it has just enough salt
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: precisely, exactly
Antonyms: none provided
26
adverb
Meaning 26
absolutely
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
I just can't take it anymore
he was just grand as Romeo
it's simply beautiful!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: simply
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h2ey- Proto-Indo-European *-u Proto-Indo-European *h2óyu Proto-Indo-European *h2yew- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *h2yéwos Proto-Italic *jowos Old Latin *iowos, *iowez- Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Italic *-tos Old Latin -tus Old Latin iovestos Latin iūstus Old French justebor. Middle English juste English just From Middle English juste, from Old French juste, from Latin iūstus (“just, lawful, rightful, true, due, proper, moderate”), from Proto-Italic *jowestos, related to Latin iūs (“law, right”); ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h2yew-. Compare Scots juist (“just”), Saterland Frisian juust (“just”), West Frisian just (“just”), Dutch juist (“just”), German Low German jüst (“jüst”), German just (“just”), Danish just (“just”), Swedish just (“just”). Doublet of giusto.
Variation of joust, presumably ultimately from Latin iuxta (“near, besides”).
Across languages
Translations
478 source translations are retained for this English entry.