just

Only this thing or action, without anything more.

• I just want water.
• She brought just one bag.
• Are you angry, or just tired?

Similar words: only, simply, merely

Common phrases: just one, just a little, just want something, just need something

A very short time before now or before the time being described.

• He has just arrived.
• I just saw your message.
• We had just eaten when our guests arrived.

How to use it: have/has just + past participle (She has just called me.); had just + past participle (I had just sat down when the phone rang.)

Similar words: recently, a moment ago

Common phrases: just arrived, just finished, just now

Use this before an unexpected result that makes an earlier effort seem wasted.

• I hurried home, just to find nobody there.
• She saved for months, just to lose the money.
• We waited all morning, just to learn the meeting was cancelled.

How to use it: do something, just to + verb (We drove across town, just to find the shop closed.)

Similar words: only

Common phrases: just to find, just to lose, just to discover

Fair and morally right, treating people as they deserve.

• We want a just society.
• The judge gave a just punishment.
• They believed they were fighting for a just cause.

Similar words: fair, right, equitable

Opposites: unjust, unfair

Common phrases: just punishment, just society, just cause

Correct and based on the facts.

• That is a just observation.
• Her report gave a just assessment of the damage.
• His description of the situation was just.

Similar words: accurate, correct, true

Opposites: inaccurate, incorrect

Common phrases: just assessment, just estimate, just observation