Word forms: comparative stricter, superlative strictest
1. adjective
A strict rule or order is very clear and precise or severe and must always be obeyed completely.
The officials had issued strict instructions that we were not to get out of the jeep.
French privacy laws are very strict.
All your replies will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Even if you are on a fairly strict diet you can still go out for a good meal.
Synonyms: severe, harsh, stern, firm More Synonyms of strict
strictlyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
The acceptance of new members is strictly controlled.
2. adjective
If a parent or other person in authority is strict, they regard many actions as unacceptable and do not allow them.
My parents were very strict.
...a few schools selected for their high standards and their strict discipline.
Synonyms: stern, firm, severe, harsh More Synonyms of strict
strictlyadverb
My own mother was brought up very strictly and correctly.
strictnessuncountable noun
The girl lied because she resented her parents' strictness.
3. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
If you talk about the strict meaning of something, you mean the precise meaning of it.
It's not quite peace in the strictest sense of the word, rather the absence of war.
Synonyms: exact, accurate, precise, close More Synonyms of strict
strictlyadverb [ADVERB adjective]
Actually, that is not strictly true.
Strictly speaking, it is not one house at all, but three houses joined together.
4. See also strict
5. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use strict to describe someone who never does things that are against their beliefs.
Many people in the country are now strict vegetarians.
He was a strict, old-school Freudian.
More Synonyms of strict
strict in British English
(strɪkt)
adjective
1.
adhering closely to specified rules, ordinances, etc
a strict faith
2.
complied with or enforced stringently; rigorous
a strict code of conduct
3.
severely correct in attention to rules of conduct or morality
a strict teacher
4.
(of a punishment, etc) harsh; severe
5. (prenominal)
complete; absolute
in strict secrecy
6. logic, mathematics(of a relation)
a.
applying more narrowly than some other relation often given the same name, as strict inclusion, which holds only between pairs of sets that are distinct, while simple inclusion permits the case in which they are identical
See also proper (sense 9), ordering
b.
distinguished from a relation of the same name that is not the subject of formal study
7. botany rare
very straight, narrow, and upright
strict panicles
Derived forms
strictly (ˈstrictly)
adverb
strictness (ˈstrictness)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Latin strictus, from stringere to draw tight
strict in American English
(strɪkt)
adjective
1.
exact or precise; not loose, vague, or broad
a strict translation
2.
perfect; absolute; entire
the strict truth
3.
a.
following or enforcing a rule or rules with great care; punctilious
b.
closely enforced or rigidly maintained
c.
disciplining rigorously or severely
4. Obsolete
a.
close; tight
b.
narrow
5. Botany
stiff and upright; erect
Derived forms
strictly (ˈstrictly)
adverb
strictness (ˈstrictness)
noun
Word origin
L strictus, pp. of stringere, to draw tight, compress < IE *streig-, stiff, taut, a rope < base *(s)ter-, rigid > stare
Examples of 'strict' in a sentence
strict
They also need strong male mentors and strict discipline to turn them into decent young men.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
There will be fairly strict vetting procedures.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There were more fines if she breached a strict dress code.
The Sun (2010)
Make a timetable for schoolwork and be strict about getting enough sleep.
The Sun (2012)
But entrepreneurship does not always follow strict logic.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You may go on strict diets and exercise obsessively.
Colette Harris, With Theresa Cheung PCOS DIET BOOK: How you can use the nutritional approach to deal with polycysticovary syndrome (2002)
Were the effects on them mainly moral rather than intellectual in any strict sense?
The Times Literary Supplement (2014)
At the same time the press and other media remained under fairly strict control.
Aganbegyan, Abel Inside Perestroika: The Future of the Soviet Economy (1990)
Middle-class women resent his strict dress code.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
With independence came temptation and she was soon drifting from her strict hospital diet.
The Sun (2013)
Its actions are in the strict sense unpredictable.
Dyson, Freeman Infinite in All Directions (1989)
She now keeps a strict internal log.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He learned he could do more through strict discipline.
Christianity Today (2000)
She is under strict instructions to get her finger out and put the finishing touches to her album.
The Sun (2010)
Thirty years ago the association drew up a strict code of ethics outlawing sales of works of art.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Is your diet always pretty strict?
The Sun (2016)
Not that she's the only famous strict mother.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Teachers were stricter, food was limited and we relied on the radio for news.
The Sun (2011)
None of this upset my mother 's strict writing routine.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He's definitely very strict on getting it right and very keen on getting his message across.
The Sun (2012)
He was always so strict.
Zindell, David The Broken God (1993)
In other languages
strict
British English: strict /strɪkt/ ADJECTIVE
A strict rule or order is very precise or severe and must be obeyed absolutely.
She gave me strict instructions not to say anything.
American English: strict
Arabic: حازِم
Brazilian Portuguese: rigoroso
Chinese: 严格的
Croatian: strog
Czech: přísný
Danish: streng
Dutch: streng
European Spanish: estricto
Finnish: ankara luonne, sääntö tms.
French: strict
German: streng
Greek: αυστηρός
Italian: rigido
Japanese: 厳しい
Korean: 엄격한
Norwegian: streng
Polish: ścisły
European Portuguese: rigoroso
Romanian: strict
Russian: строгий
Latin American Spanish: estricto
Swedish: sträng
Thai: เข้มงวด
Turkish: katı kural vb
Ukrainian: суворий
Vietnamese: nghiêm khắc
All related terms of 'strict'
strict policy
An official organization's policy on a particular issue or towards a country is their attitude and actions regarding that issue or country.
strict controls
Controls are the methods that a government uses to restrict increases, for example in prices, wages , or weapons .
strict criteria
A criterion is a factor on which you judge or decide something.
strict routine
A routine is the usual series of things that you do at a particular time. A routine is also the practice of regularly doing things in a fixed order.
strict schedule
A schedule is a plan that gives a list of events or tasks and the times at which each one should happen or be done.
strict standard
A standard is a level of quality or achievement , especially a level that is thought to be acceptable .
strict conditions
A condition is something which must happen or be done in order for something else to be possible, especially when this is written into a contract or law.
strict discipline
Discipline is the practice of making people obey rules or standards of behaviour , and punishing them when they do not.
strict hierarchy
A hierarchy is a system of organizing people into different ranks or levels of importance , for example in society or in a company.
strict inclusion
the relation between two sets that obtains when all the members of the first are members of the second
strict liability
responsibility for damage or loss regardless of intention or culpability
strict regulation
Regulations are rules made by a government or other authority in order to control the way something is done or the way people behave .
strict requirement
A requirement is a quality or qualification that you must have in order to be allowed to do something or to be suitable for something.
strict counterpoint
the application of the rules of counterpoint as an academic exercise
Chinese translation of 'strict'
strict
(strɪkt)
adj
[rule, instruction]严(嚴)格的 (yángé de)
[person]严(嚴)厉(厲)的 (yánlì de)
in the strict(est) sense of the word就某字精确(確)的意义(義)而言 (jiù mǒu zì jīngquè de yìyì ér yán)
a strict vegetarian绝(絕)对(對)的素食主义(義)者 (juéduì de sùshí zhǔyìzhě)
to tell sb sth in the strictest confidence极(極)秘(祕)密地将(將)某事告诉(訴)某人 (jí mìmì de jiāng mǒushì gàosu mǒurén)
1 (adjective)
Definition
(of a punishment, etc.) harsh or severe
French privacy laws are very strict.
Synonyms
severe
The fence collapsed during the recent severe weather.
harsh
stern
firm
Fruit should be firm and excellent in condition.
rigid
Hospital routines for nurses are very rigid.
rigorous
rigorous military training
stringent
Its drug-testing procedures are the most stringent in the world.
austere
Opposites
soft
, moderate,
flexible
,
mild
,
tolerant
,
laid-back (informal)
,
easy-going
,
lax
,
easy-oasy (slang)
2 (adjective)
Definition
severely correct in attention to behaviour or morality
My parents were very strict.
Synonyms
stern
He said stern measures would be taken against the criminals.
firm
They needed the firm guiding hand of a parental figure.
severe
This was a dreadful crime and a severe sentence is necessary.
harsh
He said many harsh and unkind things.
authoritarian
There was a coup to restore authoritarian rule.
austere
an austere, distant, cold person
no-nonsense
3 (adjective)
Definition
(of a meaning) exact
the strictest sense of the word
Synonyms
exact
I can't remember the exact words he used.
accurate
a more accurate description of the terrain
precise
They speak very precise English.
close
The poem is a close translation from the original Latin.
true
Everything I had heard about him was true.
particular
What particular aspects of the job are you interested in?
religious
The clientele turned up, with religious regularity, every night.
faithful
His screenplay is faithful to the novel.
meticulous
He was so meticulous about everything.
scrupulous
scrupulous attention to detail
4 (adjective)
Definition
following carefully and exactly a set of rules
a strict Catholic
Synonyms
devout
She was a devout Christian.
religious
They are both very religious.
orthodox
orthodox Jews
pious
He was brought up by pious relatives.
pure
reverent
the reverent hush of a rapt audience
prayerful
5 (adjective)
Definition
complete
Your enquiry will be handled in strict confidence.
Synonyms
absolute
A sick person needs to have absolute trust in a doctor.
complete
He made me look like a complete idiot.
total
The car was in a total mess.
I mean I'm not a total idiot.
perfect
She behaved like a perfect fool.
utter
A look of utter confusion swept across his handsome face.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accurate
a more accurate description of the terrain
Synonyms
precise,
right,
close,
nice,
regular,
correct,
careful,
strict,
proper,
exact,
faithful,
explicit,
authentic,
spot-on,
just,
clear-cut,
meticulous,
truthful,
faultless,
scrupulous,
unerring,
veracious
in the sense of austere
Definition
stern or severe
an austere, distant, cold person
Synonyms
stern,
hard,
serious,
cold,
severe,
formal,
grave,
strict,
exacting,
harsh,
stiff,
forbidding,
grim,
rigorous,
solemn,
stringent,
inflexible,
unrelenting,
unfeeling
in the sense of authoritarian
Definition
insisting on strict obedience to authority
There was a coup to restore authoritarian rule.
Synonyms
strict,
severe,
absolute,
harsh,
rigid,
autocratic,
dictatorial,
dogmatic,
imperious,
domineering,
unyielding,
tyrannical,
disciplinarian,
despotic,
doctrinaire
Synonyms of 'strict'
strict
Explore 'strict' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of close
Definition
careful, strict, or searching
The poem is a close translation from the original Latin.
Synonyms
accurate,
strict,
exact,
precise,
faithful,
literal,
conscientious
in the sense of complete
Definition
perfect in quality or kind
He made me look like a complete idiot.
Synonyms
total,
perfect,
absolute,
utter,
outright,
thorough,
consummate,
out-and-out,
unmitigated,
dyed-in-the-wool,
thoroughgoing,
deep-dyed
in the sense of faithful
Definition
accurate in detail
His screenplay is faithful to the novel.
Synonyms
accurate,
just,
close,
true,
strict,
exact,
precise
in the sense of firm
Definition
not soft or yielding to a touch or pressure
Fruit should be firm and excellent in condition.
Synonyms
hard,
solid,
compact,
dense,
set,
concentrated,
stiff,
compacted,
rigid,
compressed,
inflexible,
solidified,
unyielding,
congealed,
inelastic,
jelled,
close-grained,
jellified
in the sense of firm
They needed the firm guiding hand of a parental figure.
Synonyms
strict,
unwavering,
unswerving,
unshakeable,
constant,
stalwart,
resolute,
inflexible,
steadfast,
unyielding,
immovable,
unflinching,
unbending,
obdurate,
unalterable,
unfaltering
in the sense of harsh
Definition
unkind and showing no understanding
He said many harsh and unkind things.
Synonyms
hard,
sharp,
severe,
bitter,
cruel,
stern,
unpleasant,
abusive,
unkind,
pitiless,
unfeeling
in the sense of meticulous
Definition
very precise about details
He was so meticulous about everything.
Synonyms
thorough,
detailed,
particular,
strict,
exact,
precise,
microscopic,
fussy,
painstaking,
perfectionist,
scrupulous,
fastidious,
punctilious,
nit-picky (informal)
in the sense of orthodox
Definition
conforming to traditional or established standards in religion, behaviour, or attitudes
orthodox Jews
Synonyms
conformist,
conservative,
traditional,
strict,
devout,
observant,
doctrinal
in the sense of particular
Definition
of, belonging to, or being one person or thing
What particular aspects of the job are you interested in?
Synonyms
specific,
special,
express,
exact,
precise,
distinct,
peculiar
in the sense of perfect
Definition
utter or absolute
She behaved like a perfect fool.
Synonyms
complete,
absolute,
sheer,
utter,
consummate,
out-and-out,
unadulterated,
unmitigated,
unalloyed
Additional synonyms
in the sense of pious
Definition
religious or devout
He was brought up by pious relatives.
Synonyms
religious,
godly,
devoted,
spiritual,
holy,
dedicated,
righteous,
devout,
saintly,
God-fearing,
reverent
in the sense of precise
Definition
strict in observing rules or standards
They speak very precise English.
Synonyms
strict,
particular,
exact,
nice,
formal,
careful,
stiff,
rigid,
meticulous,
inflexible,
scrupulous,
fastidious,
prim,
puritanical,
finicky,
punctilious (formal),
ceremonious
in the sense of religious
Definition
scrupulous or conscientious
The clientele turned up, with religious regularity, every night.
Synonyms
conscientious,
exact,
faithful,
rigid,
rigorous,
meticulous,
scrupulous,
fastidious,
unerring,
unswerving,
punctilious (formal)
in the sense of religious
Definition
pious or devout
They are both very religious.
Synonyms
devout,
believing,
godly,
committed,
holy,
practising,
faithful,
pious,
God-fearing,
reverent,
pure,
churchgoing
in the sense of reverent
Definition
feeling or expressing reverence
the reverent hush of a rapt audience
Synonyms
respectful,
awed,
solemn,
deferential,
loving,
humble,
adoring,
devout,
pious,
meek,
submissive,
reverential
in the sense of rigid
Definition
inflexible or strict
Hospital routines for nurses are very rigid.
Synonyms
strict,
set,
fixed,
exact,
rigorous,
stringent,
austere,
severe
in the sense of rigorous
Definition
harsh, strict, or severe
rigorous military training
Synonyms
strict,
hard,
firm,
demanding,
challenging,
tough,
severe,
exacting,
harsh,
stern,
rigid,
stringent,
austere,
inflexible
in the sense of scrupulous
Definition
very careful or precise
scrupulous attention to detail
Synonyms
careful,
strict,
precise,
minute,
nice,
exact,
rigorous,
meticulous,
painstaking,
fastidious,
punctilious (formal)
in the sense of stringent
Definition
requiring strict attention to rules or detail
Its drug-testing procedures are the most stringent in the world.
Synonyms
strict,
tough,
rigorous,
demanding,
binding,
tight,
severe,
exacting,
rigid,
inflexible
in the sense of total
Definition
complete
The car was in a total mess.I mean I'm not a total idiot.
Synonyms
complete,
absolute,
utter,
whole,
perfect,
entire,
sheer,
outright,
all-out,
thorough,
unconditional,
downright (derogatory),
undisputed,
consummate,
unqualified,
out-and-out,
undivided,
overarching,
unmitigated,
thoroughgoing,
arrant (derogatory),
deep-dyed (derogatory)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of true
Definition
in accordance with the truth or facts
Everything I had heard about him was true.
Synonyms
correct,
right,
accurate,
exact,
precise,
valid,
legitimate,
factual,
truthful,
veritable,
bona fide,
veracious
in the sense of utter
Definition
total or absolute
A look of utter confusion swept across his handsome face.