Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - just

~1 adv 1 exactly  (Thank you. That's just what I need. | The house was large and roomy; just right for us. | She looks just like her mother.) 2 only  (He's not a thief, just a little boy who likes biscuits. | It'll just take a few minutes.) 3 if something has just happened, it happened only a short time ago  (John's just told me that he's getting married. | I've just been out shopping.) 4 if you are just doing something, or just about to do something you are starting to do it or going to do it soon  (He was just leaving when the phone rang. | I'll just change my clothes, if you don't mind waiting a minute.) 5 used to emphasize something you are saying  (I needed some fresh air, so work would just have to wait. | He just got in his car and drove off.) 6 just before/after/over etc only a short time before, after etc  (We moved here just after our son was born. | I saw her just before she died. | It's just under three centimeters long.) 7 (only) just if something just happens or is just possible, it does happen or is possible, but it almost did not happen or was not possible  (He just managed to get home before dark. | Those pants only just fit you now.) 8 just about almost  (The plums are just about ripe now. | Just about everybody will be affected by the tax increases.) 9 just as equally as  (Brad is just as good as the others.) 10 just then at exactly that moment  (Just then there was a sound in the hall.) 11 just the thing informal exactly the right thing  (This soup is just the thing for a cold winter's day.) 12 informal completely  (She was just horrified at my choice of husband.)  (- see also just my luck luck1 (7)) 13 just a) used to pause while you think what to say next or think how to describe something  (When I told him the news he just...he just sat there and didn't say a word. | It wasn't an argument, it was just, it was more like a discussion.) b) used when politely asking something or telling someone to do something  (Could I just say a few words before we start?) c) used when firmly telling someone to do something  (Look, just shut up for a minute!) 14 a) just a minute/second/momenta) used to ask someone to wait for a short time while you do something  (Just a minute, I'll see if I can find it for you.) b) used to interrupt someone in order to ask them something, disagree with them etc  (Just a minute, I'm not sure I agree with your last point.) 15 just now a) a moment ago or a very short time ago  (Where have my glasses gone? I had them just now.) b) especially BrE at the moment  (We're busy just now, can you come back later?) 16 would just as soon if you would just as soon do something, you would prefer to do it  (I'd just as soon not be here when she comes.) 17 may just/might just might possibly  (You could try Renee; she might just know where they live now.) 18 not just yet not quite yet  (I can't leave just yet. I've still got a couple of letters to write.) 19 it's just that used when explaining the reason for something, especially when someone thinks there is a different reason  (No, I do like Chinese food, it's just that I'm not hungry.) 20 just think/look/listen used to tell someone to imagine, look at or listen to the same thing that you are imagining, looking at, or listening to  (Just think - in a week we'll be lying on a beach in the sun!) 21 be just looking to be looking at things in a shop without intending to buy anything  ("Can I help you?" "No thanks, I'm just looking.") 22 just because...doesn't mean used to say that although one thing is true, another thing is not necessarily true  (Just because you're older than me doesn't mean you can tell me what to do.) 23 it's/that's just as well used to say that it is lucky that something happens because otherwise there would be problems  (It's just as well Kathy didn't come to the film. She'd have hated it.) 24 might just as well if you might just as well do something, it would be sensible, or a good idea to do it  (There's no point in waiting here. We might just as well go home.) 25 just the same used to say that your opinion is the same about something, although someone has said something to try to change your opinion  ("The new model is a lot better." "Just the same, I'd rather have the old one I'm used to.") 26 isn't she just/aren't they just old-fashioned used to strongly agree with something someone has said about a person or thing  ("He's a selfish, rude, ignorant man!" "Isn't he just!") 27 just testing a) used to tell someone that you only asked them something to check if they knew the answer  ("What's the capital of France?" "Paris, of course!" "Just testing.") b) used when you have made a mistake, to pretend that you only did it to see if someone would notice  ("That isn't how you spell `receive'!" "I know, just testing!") 28 just on BrE almost exactly  (It's just on three o'clock.) 29 just so a) with everything arranged neatly and tidily  (Her house always has to be just so.) b) old-fashioned used to say yes or agree with something  ( USAGE NOTE: JUST AmE-BrE DIFFERENCE Time adverbs just, already, and yet are often used with the simple past tense in American English The bell just rang (=it rang a short time ago). | I already saw him. | Did you eat yet? This use is also fairly common now in British English, but it is still considered more correct to say The bell has just rung. | I've already seen him. | Have you eaten yet?