just
Adverb
UK/dʒʌst/US/dʒʌst/
Exactly or simply; only; very recently or barely in time or degree.
Example Sentences
I just saw him a minute ago.
This is just the kind of music I enjoy listening to.
She just managed to catch the train before it left the station.
I'm just asking a simple question; there's no need to overthink it.
He returned home just in time to witness the big announcement.
They realized they had just enough supplies to last through the weekend.
Her sudden appearance was so perfectly timed that it felt like she had just stepped out of a movie, surprising everyone around her.
He insisted he was just kidding when he made the remark, but the tension in the room suggested otherwise.
Thesaurus
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Adjective
UK/dʒʌst/US/dʒʌst/
Morally right, fair, or reasonable.
Example Sentences
Everyone praised the judge for making a just decision in the complicated case.
The new law is intended to create a more just system for vulnerable citizens.
A just leader values honesty and treats all subordinates with respect and compassion.
They demanded a just resolution, emphasizing that any compromise must be fair to all parties.
He has always been known for his just sense of leadership, ensuring nobody is overlooked in the team.
In a just society, everyone’s rights should be protected and guaranteed under the law.
Her coworkers admired her for her just approach to conflicts, making sure each voice was heard and addressed with fairness.
Even under immense pressure, he upheld a just perspective, refusing to sacrifice his moral principles for personal gain.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
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How to Use
Implies fairness, recent occurrence, or minimal degree in various contexts.“Just” can function as both an adverb and an adjective. As an adverb, it may emphasize a recent event (“I just arrived”), a small degree (“just a bit”), or a restriction (“I just need five minutes”). It also conveys precision or exactness (“I arrived just in time”). As an adjective, it refers to something morally right or fair (“a just decision”).When placing “just” in a sentence, position varies by intended meaning. For instance, “I just ate” implies a very recent action; “I ate just a little” indicates minimal quantity; “She is a just leader” describes moral uprightness. In writing and speech, “just” provides nuance—either restricting scope or clarifying fairness. To avoid ambiguity, ensure the context clarifies whether you’re describing time, quantity, fairness, or limitation. Well-placed “just” can sharpen your statements, but be wary of overuse, as it might weaken otherwise strong writing or speech, especially if repeated too frequently for filler or hedging language.
Alternatives
Synonyms for different meanings of “just” abound. If you need to express fairness, you could use “fair,” “equitable,” or “upright,” as in “an equitable decision.” For recent occurrences, “recently,” “only now,” or “a moment ago” may stand in, depending on formality. When denoting restriction, “only,” “merely,” or “simply” often convey a similar idea. “Barely” and “hardly” can approximate minimal degree, though these sometimes imply difficulty or insufficiency. To highlight moral righteousness, “righteous,” “ethical,” or “honorable” might fit. Each synonym shifts nuance, so pick carefully based on whether you’re spotlighting moral correctness, narrow limitation, recency, or slight quantity. In casual speech, “only” and “just” are frequently interchangeable for showing minimal scope—“I only have five dollars” or “I just have five dollars.” If formal precision is needed, consider swapping “just” with more specific terms to avoid ambiguity and strengthen clarity in your writing or conversation.
Writing
When writing, clarity around the meaning of “just” is crucial. If you use it to show a recent event, place it near the verb (“I just finished the report”), so readers recognize the timing emphasis. To convey limitation, put it before the element being limited—“I just want to check one thing,” not “I want to just check one thing,” which can sound ambiguous. If you mean moral uprightness, ensure your context supports “just” as an adjective describing fairness: “He was a just judge, respected by all.”Overuse or misuse of “just” can weaken your prose. Constantly using it as a filler—“I just think we should…,” “We just need to…”—risks making your statements sound tentative or hedged. If you find “just” popping up too often, consider whether another term might be clearer or more forceful. In persuasive or academic writing, too many “justs” can diminish authority. Yet, when used purposefully, “just” can add nuance by restricting scope, indicating recency, or highlighting ethical considerations without resorting to lengthy explanations.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “just” is hugely versatile. You might say, “I just got home,” to let friends know you arrived only moments ago. If you want someone to keep something minimal, you could say, “Just a small piece for me,” or “I just need a minute.” It can also soften requests—“Could you just open the window a bit?”—making them sound polite rather than demanding. “Just” also shows exasperation or emphasis in casual settings: “I just can’t believe it!” or “He just won’t listen.” Used this way, “just” underscores annoyance or disbelief. Another everyday staple is “It’s just too hot,” signaling a minimal tolerance threshold. Generally, casual speech can pack several “justs” into each conversation—be mindful that, while perfectly normal in informal contexts, each “just” still carries meaning, whether indicating recency, small scope, or a mild emotional punch.
Etymology
The word “just” in English traces back to the Latin “iustus,” meaning lawful, righteous, or upright. Old French adopted and evolved it into “juste,” emphasizing fairness and correctness, before Middle English absorbed it into everyday vocabulary. Over centuries, English speakers broadened “just” beyond moral or legal fairness to signify recency or slightness, reflecting the language’s growing preference for concise words that can handle multiple shades of meaning. During the evolution, “just” also became an adverbial modifier serving different grammatical functions, from indicating exactness (“just so”) to minimal scope (“just a moment”). This expanded utility showcases how English words often accumulate layers of meaning through cultural, legal, and conversational use. Today, “just” remains a workhorse term, spanning everything from moral judgments (“a just society”) to quick disclaimers (“I’m just saying…”), uniting the concept of precise measurement, temporal nearness, or fairness under a single umbrella.
