Just Meaning

UK /dʒʌst/
US /dʒʌst/
Word Definition
just meaning

Just Definition & Usage

adjective

Righteous, morally right or fair.

Examples

  • "He gave a just and impartial ruling."
  • "The judge made a just decision after hearing both sides."
  • "Her actions were just and kind-hearted."
  • "Everyone deserves a just opportunity to succeed."
  • "A just society ensures equality for all."
adjective

Precisely, exactly, or very close to a certain point or standard.

Examples

  • "I arrived just in time for the meeting."
  • "She is just the person I needed to talk to."
  • "The solution was just what I was looking for."
  • "He is just above average in terms of performance."
  • "It’s just too late to make any changes now."
adverb

Used to emphasize that something is limited to a specific condition or action.

Examples

  • "She just wants to be left alone."
  • "I was just trying to help."
  • "It’s just a small mistake, nothing serious."
  • "The children were just playing in the yard."
  • "I’m just doing my job, nothing more."
verb

To make something fair, just, or morally correct.

Examples

  • "The law should just the system to protect the innocent."
  • "They are working to just the wrongs of the past."
  • "We need to just the situation before making any decisions."
  • "It’s important to just these discrepancies quickly."
  • "The reforms aim to just the relationship between employees and employers."

Cultural Context

The word 'just' has evolved through various forms and languages, originally deriving from the Latin word 'justus,' meaning righteous or fair. In English, it has expanded to cover a range of meanings beyond moral correctness, including temporal precision and limitation.

The Just Decision

Story

The Just Decision

In a small town, there lived a wise judge known for making just decisions, always striving to balance fairness with the truth. One day, a heated dispute arose between two families over a piece of land. The first family claimed it had been in their possession for generations, while the second family, new to the town, argued that they had rightful ownership based on recent legal documentation. The judge carefully listened to both sides. 'I believe you both have strong cases,' she said. 'However, we must focus on what is just and fair for the community.' She spent days reviewing old records, consulting experts, and even visiting the land herself. After much deliberation, the judge rendered her decision: the land would be shared between the two families, with each receiving a portion based on need rather than ownership. 'This is not just a decision based on the law, but one that considers the well-being of both families and the harmony of the community,' she explained. While the families were initially upset, they soon realized that the judge's decision was indeed just and ultimately led to mutual respect. The second family gained a piece of land, and the first family retained its historical connection to the town. It was just what was needed to resolve the conflict. Years later, the families would tell their children the story of how the judge's just decision brought peace to the town, proving that sometimes, justice is not just about the law, but about what is right for everyone involved.

The Just Decision