Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

just

 - definition
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
adverb American English pronunciation: just /dʒʌst/
  1. 1
    used for saying when something happens
    1. a.
      soon, or at a particular time

      I can’t come now. I’m just putting the kids to bed.

      just now:

      We’re just now beginning to understand how much work this project will be.

      just then/at that moment:

      Just then a knock at the door interrupted our conversation.

      be just going/about to do something:

      Mark was just about to leave when someone called him.

      I was just going to ask you the same question.

      just when/as:

      Just when you think it’s all over, something else happens.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  justThesaurus entry for this meaning of just
    2. b.
      a short time ago, or a short time before something that happened in the past

      Mom just left to go to the grocery store.

      Andy had just arrived in Australia the day before.

      Susan was just telling me about your new job.

      only just (=a very short time ago):

      I’ve only just started, so I can’t tell you anything yet.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  justThesaurus entry for this meaning of just
    3. c.
      used for emphasizing how recently something happened
      just yesterday/last week etc.:

      Just last week it was freezing, and now it’s too hot.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  justThesaurus entry for this meaning of just
  2. 2
    only
    1. a.
      not more than a particular amount, number, distance, etc.

      The medicine costs just a few cents to produce.

      He quit the project after just four months.

      There’s a little bookstore just around the corner.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  justThesaurus entry for this meaning of just
    2. b.
      not better, worse, more important, etc. than what you are mentioning

      We’re just a small business with 15 employees.

      It was just a stupid mistake.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  justThesaurus entry for this meaning of just
    3. c.
      not involving anything more than the thing that you are mentioning

      We just wanted to make sure everyone was safe.

      In my opinion, the argument is just about money.

      No, I don’t want to buy anything. I’m just looking.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  justThesaurus entry for this meaning of just
  3. 3
    exactly
    1. a.
      exactly the right thing, place, or person

      Thank you so much. It was just what I wanted.

      just the thing/place/person etc.:

      It’s just the place for a picnic.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  justThesaurus entry for this meaning of just
    2. b.
      mainly British used when referring to an exact time
      just on (=at the exact time that you mention):

      We left just on the stroke of midnight.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  justThesaurus entry for this meaning of just
  4. 4
    used for emphasis spoken
    1. a.
      used for emphasizing a statement

      It was just awful seeing her so miserable.

      I just can’t believe what’s happened.

      Just exactly what do these numbers represent?

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  justThesaurus entry for this meaning of just
    2. b.
      used for emphasis when you are telling someone to do something

      Now, just calm down and tell me what the problem is.

      Just look at that dress she’s wearing!

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  justThesaurus entry for this meaning of just
  5. 5
    used for saying that although something happens, it almost does not happen

    The four girls just managed to squeeze into the back of Rick’s car.

    We should just get there on time if we hurry.

    only just (=by a very small amount):

    He did pass his finals, but only just.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  justThesaurus entry for this meaning of just
  6. 6
    spoken used for making a request more polite

    Could I just borrow your pen for a second?

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  justThesaurus entry for this meaning of just

phrases

See also

This is the American English definition of just. View British English definition of just.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

vocal fry

a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day Word of the Day

watchword

a word or phrase that expresses someone’s attitude or intention

Open Dictionary

conflict mineral

a mineral which is mined in a place where there is armed conflict, and sold to help pay for weapons

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog