just*/*/*/

[dʒʌst] adv I

1) a moment ago a short time ago, or a short time before something that happened in the past

Mum's just gone down to the shops.[/ex]

Agassi had just arrived in Australia the day before.[/ex]

Just last week it was freezing, and now it's too hot.[/ex]

I've only just started, so I can't tell you anything yet.[/ex]

What were you saying to Lisa just now (= a moment ago)?[/ex]

2) at this time at the same time as something else

I can't come now. I'm just putting the children to bed.[/ex]

Just then a knock at the door interrupted our conversation.[/ex]

Mahmud was just about to leave when someone called his name.[/ex]

I was just going to ask you the same question.[/ex]

3) only not more, bigger, more important etc than what you are mentioning

The medicine costs just a few pence to produce.[/ex]

It was just a silly mistake.[/ex]

We just wanted to make sure everyone was safe.[/ex]

No, I don't want to buy anything. I'm just looking.[/ex]

It's not just me. Other people are complaining too.[/ex]

4) exactly exactly

He's just like his father.[/ex]

Thank you so much, it was just what I wanted.[/ex]

Cameron's plan failed, just as I expected it would.[/ex]

5) slightly slightly before, after, nearer, or further

I spoke with him just after he won the award.[/ex]

Her parents were seated just behind her.[/ex]

6) used for emphasis spoken

used for emphasizing what you are saying

It was just awful seeing her so miserable.[/ex]

Just be quiet, will you?[/ex]

7) when sth almost does not happen used for saying that although something happens, it almost does not happen

We should just get there in time if we hurry.[/ex]

8) used in requests spoken

used for making a request more polite

Could I just borrow your pen for a second?[/ex]

•

just about — very nearly[/ex]

I think we've just about finished.[/ex]

Another scandal would be just about the worst thing that could happen.[/ex]

just a minute/moment/second — spoken 1) used for asking someone to wait for a short time[/ex]

Just a moment. We're not ready for you yet.[/ex]

— 2) used when interrupting someone, especially when you disagree with what they are saying

Just a minute. You can't make accusations like that.[/ex]

just as...(as) — used for emphasizing that something is equally large, good, bad etc[/ex]

Less expensive machines are just as good or even better.[/ex]

Animals feel pain just as much as we do.[/ex]

just because... — spoken used for saying that even if one thing is true, this is not a reason for thinking that something else is true[/ex]

Just because he's rich, it doesn't mean he's better than us.[/ex]

it/that is just as well — spoken used for saying that a situation is good, even though it is not what you planned[/ex]

We cancelled the trip, which was just as well, because it rained.[/ex]

See:

like

II

adj

formal just [dʒʌst]

fair and morally right

Syn:

fair

Ant:

unjust

a just society[/ex]