How to pronounce just
Say it like JUHST. Just is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce just. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- JUHST
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Just pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- JUHSTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of just
American and British speakers say just in essentially the same way: /dʒʌst/ in the US and /dʒʌst/ in the UK.
British respelling: JUHST.
What does just mean?
- and nothing more“I was merely asking”“it is simply a matter of time”
- indicating exactness or preciseness“he was doing precisely (or exactly) what she had told him to do”“it was just as he said--the jewel was gone”
- only a moment ago“he has just arrived”“the sun just now came out”
- used especially of what is legally or ethically right or proper or fitting“a just and lasting peace”“a kind and just man”
- fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience“equitable treatment of all citizens”“an equitable distribution of gifts among the children”
- free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules“a fair referee”“fair deal”
Where does just come from?
From Middle English juste, from Old French juste, from Latin iūstus (“just, lawful, rightful, true, due, proper, moderate”), from Proto-Italic *jowestos, related to Latin iūs (“law, right”); ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂yew-.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with just
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of just.
Questions about saying just
How do you pronounce just?
Say JUHST. The American pronunciation is /dʒʌst/. In British English it is /dʒʌst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in just?
Just is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: JUHST.
Do Americans and Brits say just the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dʒʌst/ and the British form is /dʒʌst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.