strictly
/ˈstrɪk(t)li
/adverb
1In a way that involves rigid enforcement or that demands obedience: he’s been brought up strictly...
- Chirac declared that entry points into EU countries would have to be much more strictly controlled and demanded consistent procedures to combat people smugglers.
- It supports ongoing audit initiatives by ensuring controls and policies are strictly enforced, in order to ensure compliance across the enterprise.
- Restoration of the diploid stage is often strictly controlled and brings together products separated at the first meiotic division.
2Used to indicate that one is applying words or rules exactly or rigidly: [sentence adverb]: strictly speaking, ham is a cured, cooked leg of pork [as submodifier]: to be strictly accurate, there are two Wolvertons...
- In other words, strictly speaking, there are no irreversible processes.
- More strictly speaking, the word nebula should be reserved for gas and dust clouds and not for groups of stars.
- The " no work, no pay " rule has been strictly applied to workers who strike illegally.
2.1With no exceptions; completely or absolutely: these foods are strictly forbidden...
- Now strictly separate absolute necessary spending, like food, heating, etc, from optional stuff, like entertainment and holidays.
- Leave your instrument strictly alone except when necessary.
- Exchanges of goods and services except through him are strictly forbidden.
2.2No more than; purely: that visit was strictly business his attitude and manner were strictly professional...
- The conference ran on strictly professional lines.
- I agreed with him on some things, disagreed on many more, but it was all strictly business - I never hated him, or even particularly disliked him.
- People are learning English as a second language - that is, as a business language, strictly communicative and idiom-neutral.