I Dʒʌst Short Moment Good Give Time Adverb

• there is just one method that might work.
• i decided to learn japanese just for fun.
• i waited an hour just to see you.
• ‘can i help you?’ ‘no thanks, i'm just looking.’ (= in a shop)

just

1. only
• There is just one method that might work.
• I decided to learn Japanese just for fun.
• I waited an hour just to see you.
• ‘Can I help you?’ ‘No thanks, I'm just looking.’ (= in a shop)
2. simply
• It was just an ordinary day.
• I just want to help.
• I just think you should wait a bit.
• We'll just have to hope for the best.
• I'm just saying there are risks involved.
• I'm just glad you're OK.
• That's just plain stupid.
• I can't just drop all my commitments.
• This essay is just not good enough.
• I didn't mean to upset you. It's just that I had to tell somebody.
• This is not just another disaster movie—it's a masterpiece.
• It has to be green—and not just any green, but a very precise shade of olive.
• Just because you're older than me doesn't mean you know everything.
• It just kind of happened.
• If she doesn't like, that's just too bad.
• I'm just so sick of this.
• They just never give up.
3. by a small amount
• You've just missed her.
• They just made it, boarding the aircraft minutes before take-off.
• I only just caught the train.
• Inflation fell to just over 4 per cent.
• The painting sold for just under £6 million.
• I got here just after nine.
• They must have got there just before I did.
• He visited Guatemala just prior to his death.
• They're now the largest party, through just short of an overall majority.
4. used to say that you/somebody did something or something happened very recently
• I've just heard the news.
• When you arrived, he had only just left.
• She has just been telling us about her trip to Rome.
• I just saw him a moment ago.
• She was just here.
• Just last week it was snowing and now it's 25 degrees.
5. at this/that moment; now
• I'm just finishing my book.
• I was just beginning to enjoy myself when we had to leave.
• I'm just off (= I am leaving now).
6. exactly
• This jacket is just my size.
• With him, everything always has to to be just right.
• This gadget is just the thing for getting those nails out.
• Just my luck (= the sort of bad luck I usually have). My phone needs recharging.
• You're just in time.
• She looks just like her mother.
• It's just what I wanted!
• It's just as I thought.
• It's just on six (= exactly six o'clock).
7. at the same moment as
• The clock struck six just as I arrived.
8. no less than; equally
• She's just as smart as her sister.
• You can get there just as cheaply by plane.
9. going to do something only a few moments from now or then
• The water's just about to boil.
• I was just going to tell you when you interrupted.
10. really; completely
• The food was just wonderful!
• The trip was just amazing!
• Relax—you're doing just fine.
• I can just imagine his reaction.
11. used in orders to get somebody’s attention, give permission, etc.
• Just listen to what I'm saying, will you!
• Just help yourselves.
12. used to make a polite request, excuse, etc.
• Could you just help me with this box, please?
• I've just got a few things to do first.
13. used to show a slight possibility that something is true or will happen
• Try asking Mike—he might just know the answer.
14. used to agree with somebody
• ‘He's very pompous.’ ‘Isn't he just?’
15. used to say that you/somebody would have been in the same position if you had done something else, because you got little benefit or pleasure from what you did do
• The weather was so bad we might just as well have stayed at home.
16. because of the possibility of something happening
• You'd better take the keys in case I'm out.
• You probably won't need to call—but take my number, just in case.
• In case (= if it is true that) you’re wondering why Jo’s here—let me explain…
17. it is a good thing
• It is just as well that we didn't leave any later or we'd have missed him.
18. used to say that you would equally well like to do something as do something else that has been suggested
• I'd just as soon stay at home as go out tonight.
19. almost; very nearly
• I've met just about everyone.
• ‘Did you reach your sales target?’ ‘Just about.’
20. approximately
• She should be arriving just about now.
21. suddenly, without warning or explanation
22. used to ask somebody to wait for a short time
• ‘Is Mr Burns available?’ ‘Just a second, please, I'll check.’
23. at this moment
• Come and see me later—I'm busy just now.
24. during this present period
• Business is good just now.
25. only a short time ago
• I saw her just now.
26. later; in a short period of time
27. done or arranged very accurately or carefully
• He liked polishing the furniture and making everything just so.
28. at that moment
• Just then, someone knocked at the front door.
29. exactly what is needed in a particular situation
• That cup of tea was just the ticket.
30. used when commenting on a situation to suggest that you could say something more or worse but prefer not to
• Let's just say he wasn't very happy about the decision (= he was very unhappy or angry about it).
31. not now but probably quite soon
• I can't give you the money just yet.

Word Origin

• late Middle English: via Old French from Latin justus, from jus ‘law, right’.