just meaning and definition

JUST adjective

Definition of just (adjective)

1. used especially of what is legally or ethically right or proper or fitting
   • "a just and lasting peace"- A.Lincoln; "a kind and just man"; "a just reward"; "his just inheritance"
   • antonym: unjust
2. fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience
   • "equitable treatment of all citizens"; "an equitable distribution of gifts among the children"
   • synonyms: equitable
   • antonym: inequitable
3. free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
   • "a fair referee"; "fair deal"; "on a fair footing"; "a fair fight"; "by fair means or foul"
   • synonyms: fair
   • antonym: unfair
4. of moral excellence
   • "a genuinely good person"; "a just cause"; "an upright and respectable man"
   • synonyms: good, upright

JUST adverb

Definition of just (adverb)

1. and nothing more
   • "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"
   • synonyms: but, merely, only, simply
2. indicating exactness or preciseness
   • "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"
   • synonyms: exactly, precisely
3. only a moment ago
   • "he has just arrived"; "the sun just now came out"
   • synonyms: just now
4. absolutely
   • "I just can't take it anymore"; "he was just grand as Romeo"; "it's simply beautiful!"
   • synonyms: simply
5. only a very short time before
   • "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"- W.B.Yeats
   • synonyms: barely, hardly, scarce, scarcely
6. exactly at this moment or the moment described
   • "we've just finished painting the walls, so don't touch them";