Strict

Pronunciation

• IPA: /strɪkt/
• Rhymes: -ɪkt

Origin

From Latin strictus, past participle of stringere ("to draw tight, bind, contract"); see stringent, strain.

Full definition of strict

Adjective

1. Strained; drawn close; tight.strict embracestrict ligature
2. Tense; not relaxed.strict fiber
3. Exact; accurate; precise; rigorously nice.to keep strict watchto pay strict attention
4. Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe; rigorous.
• 1905, w, w:The Case of Miss Elliott Chapter 2, No one, however, would have anything to do with him, as Mr. Keeson's orders in those respects were very strict ; he had often threatened any one of his employés with instant dismissal if he found him in company with one of these touts.
5. very strict in observing the Sabbath
6. Rigidly interpreted; exactly limited; confined; restricted.to understand words in a strict sense
7. (botany) Upright, or straight and narrow; — said of the shape of the plants or their flower clusters.
8. Severe in discipline.

Usage notes

Stricter and strictest are the grammatically correct forms for the comparative and superlative though outside UK more strict and most strict are more often used.

Antonyms

• lenient
• lax
• permissive

Related terms

• stricture
• stringent
• strain