Word Smith: Just
Adjective: “Cast your care upon the LORD, and he will support you;
never will he permit the just man to be disturbed.”
Adverb: “just a poor boy” The Boxer, by Simon & Garfunkle.
Meanings Galore
Sometimes the best words are the simple, straight forward words, devoid of obscurity and deception. At other times those simple words have multiple meanings which add cleverness and double entendre to the meaning. Word play is fun, however, like sarcasm it can be exclusionary. Hide your meaning in poetry, but shine a bright light on your language among friends, just for the joy of it. Better to be understood by all, than aloof to many.
The Nike Trademark
As found in an online dictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/just
just
adjective \ˈjəst\
: agreeing with what is considered morally right or good
: treating people in a way that is considered morally right
: reasonable or proper
Full Definition of JUST
1
a : having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason : reasonable <a just but not a generous decision>
b archaic : faithful to an original
c : conforming to a standard of correctness : proper <just proportions>
2
a (1) : acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good : righteous <a just war> (2) : being what is merited : deserved <a just punishment>
b : legally correct : lawful <just title to an estate>
— just·ly adverb
— just·ness noun
Examples of JUST as adjective
- · Can there be a just cause for war?
- · The college treated the allegation with just seriousness.
- · They got their just punishment for the crime.
Origin of JUST
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French juste, from Latin justus, from jus right, law; akin to Sanskrit yos welfare
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to JUST
Synonyms
competent, condign, deserved, due, fair, justified, merited, right, rightful, warranted
Antonyms
undeserved, undue, unfair, unjust, unjustified, unmerited, unwarranted
Related Words
applicable, appropriate, apt, fit, fitting, meet, proper, requisite, suitable; lawful, legal, legitimate; accurate, correct, true; rhadamanthine, strict, stringent, uncompromising; equitable, impartial, square
Near Antonyms
incoherent, incorrect, irrelative, irrelevant; improper, inapplicable, inapposite, inappropriate, inapt, indefensible, unjustifiable, unreasonable, unsuitable; biased, inequitable, partial, unequal; arbitrary, despotic; illegitimate, unlawful
Rhymes with JUST
bust, crust, cussed, dust, fussed, gust, lust, must, musth, pussed, rust, thrust, trust
3
just
adverb \ˈjəst, ˈjist, ˈjest also without t\
: to an exact degree or in an exact manner
: very recently
: at this or that exact moment or time
Full Definition of JUST
1
a : exactly, precisely <just right>
b : very recently <the bell just rang>
2
a : by a very small margin : barely <just too late>
b : immediately, directly <just west of here>
3
a : only, simply <just last year> <just be yourself>
b : quite, very <just wonderful>
4
: perhaps, possibly <it just might work>
— just about
: almost <the work is just about done>
Nancy Reagan and her “Just Say No” Campaign
Examples of JUST as adverb
- · The store has just the tool you need.
- · That’s just what I expected.
- · You have to accept me just as I am.
- · This shirt fits just right.
- · She called him a liar and told him he was just like all the other men she’d met.
- · He was just here a minute ago.
- · She had just returned when he entered.
- · I was just going to telephone you!
- · She’s just finishing a letter, and she’ll be with you shortly.
- · I arrived just in time to see him win.
First Known Use of JUST
15th century
Synonyms:
exactly, precisely, to a T, by the skin of one’s teeth
Antonyms:
considerably, significantly, substantially, vastly, well
Related Words:
even, expressly, faultlessly, perfectly; identically, uniformly; alike, likewise, similarly
Near Antonyms:
slightly, somewhat, vaguely; differently, variably
Henry E. Hooper 