Etimology
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.
adjective
just (comparative juster or more just, superlative justest or most just)
Factually right, correct; factual.
Rationally right, correct.
Morally right; upright, righteous, equitable; fair.
Proper, adequate.
Examples
It is a just assessment of the facts.
It looks like a just solution at first glance.
My lord, we know your grace to be a manJust and upright.
Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
Here is a Proclamation for a Prince: that proclaims him in whoſe name it is emitted [James II of England], to be the greateſt Tyrant that ever lived in the world, and their Revolt who have diſowned him to be the juſteſt that ever was.
Looking back over my previously written account of these things, I must insist that I have been altogether juster to Cavor than he has been to me.
Related words
synonyms
right, correct
righteous, equitable
proper, adequate
antonyms
unjust
related terms
justice
adverb
just (not comparable)
Only, simply, merely.
(sentence adverb) Used to reduce the force of an imperative; simply.
Used to convey a less serious or formal tone
Used to show humility.
(degree) absolutely, positively
Moments ago, recently.
By a narrow margin; closely; nearly.
Exactly, precisely, perfectly.
Examples
Just plant a few tomatoes, unless you can freeze or dry them.
He calls it vermilion, but it's just red to me.
Philander went into the next room, which was just a lean-to hitched on to the end of the shanty, and came back with a salt mackerel that dripped brine like a rainstorm. Then he put the coffee pot on the stove and rummaged out a loaf of dry bread and some hardtack.
From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much. […] But viewed from high up in one of the growing number of skyscrapers in Sri Lanka’s capital, it is clear that something extraordinary is happening: China is creating a shipping hub just 200 miles from India’s southern tip.
Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths.
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.
Just follow the directions on the box.
I just called to say "hi".
Lord, we just want to thank You and praise Your Name.
It is just splendid!
just fine
They just left, but you may leave a message at the desk.
Philander went into the next room […] and came back with a salt mackerel […] . Next he put the mackerel in a fry-pan, and the shanty began to smell like a Banks boat just in from a v'yage.
The fastball just missed my head!
The piece just might fit.
Nanny Broome was looking up at the outer wall. Just under the ceiling there were three lunette windows, heavily barred and blacked out in the normal way by centuries of grime.
He wants everything just right for the big day.
And having just enough, not covet more.
The god Pan […] guided my hand so just to the heart of the beast.
To-night, at Herne's oak, just 'twixt twelve and one.
Private-equity nabobs bristle at being dubbed mere financiers. Piling debt onto companies’ balance-sheets is only a small part of what leveraged buy-outs are about, they insist. Improving the workings of the businesses they take over is just as core to their calling, if not more so. Much of their pleading is public-relations bluster.
Related words
synonyms
(only): merely, simply; see also Thesaurus:merely
(recently): freshly, lately, newly
(by a narrow margin): barely, hardly, scarcely; see also Thesaurus:slightly
(exactly): on the dot, smack-dab; see also Thesaurus:exactly
interjection
just
(slang) Expressing dismay or discontent.
Etimology
Variation of joust, presumably ultimately from Latin iuxta (“near, besides”).
noun
just (plural justs)
A joust, tournament.
Examples
Justs and tilts were held here weekly, while the great tourneys that occurred less often were given upon a field outside the castle wall upon the floor of the valley.
verb
just (third-person singular simple present justs, present participle justing, simple past and past participle justed)
To joust, fight a tournament.
Examples
He iusts with her vnknowne whom he lou’d best, [...].