just

Adjective

just (comparative juster or more just, superlative justest or most just)

1. Factually right, correct; factual.
   • It is a just assessment of the facts.
2. Rationally right, correct.
3. Morally right; upright, righteous, equitable; fair.
   • It looks like a just solution at first glance.
   • My lord, we know your grace to be a man
     Just and upright.1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
4. Proper, adequate.

Adverb

just (not comparable)

1. Only, simply, merely.
   • Just plant a few tomatoes, unless you can freeze or dry them.
   • He calls it vermilion, but it's just red to me.
   1. Introduces a disappointing or surprising outcome that renders futile something previously mentioned.
      • 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.
2. (sentence adverb) Used to reduce the force of an imperative; simply.
   • Just follow the directions on the box.
3. (sentence adverb) Used to increase the force of an imperative; simply, without questioning.
   • I'm tired of playing games – just get it done.
4. Used to convey a less serious or formal tone.
   • I just called to say "hi".
5. (degree) Absolutely, positively.
   • It is just splendid!
   • just fine
6. Moments ago, only very recently.
   • 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.1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter VIII, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC
7. By a narrow margin; closely; narrowly; almost not.
   • The fastball just missed my head!
   • The fire department arrived just in time.

   Synonyms:

   barely

8. Exactly, precisely, perfectly.
   • He wants everything just right for the big day.
   • And having just enough, not covet more.1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The Fourteenth Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […]...

   Synonyms:

   on the dot

Interjection

1. (slang) Expressing dismay or discontent.

Noun

just (plural justs)

1. A joust, tournament.
   • 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.1928, Edgar Rice Burroughs, chapter 11, in Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, 1st edition, page 139

Verb

just (third-person singular simple present justs, present participle justing, simple past and past participle justed)

1. To joust, fight a tournament.
   • He iusts with her vnknowne whom he lou’d best, [...].1600, [Torquato Tasso], “The Third Booke of Godfrey of Bulloigne”, in Edward Fairefax [i.e., Edward Fairfax], transl., Godfrey of Bulloigne, or The Recouerie of Ierusalem. […], London: […] Ar[nold]...