strict
- 01 B1 Intermediate
expecting people to obey rules and behaving in a severe way if they do not.
enforcing or observing exact rules with little or no flexibility; severe in discipline.
Simple“My parents were very strict about us finishing our homework before watching TV.”
In context“The headteacher maintained a strict disciplinary code, believing that clear boundaries were essential for the students' academic success.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
following the exact meaning of something without any changes.
characterized by precise accuracy or a literal interpretation of a rule or definition.
Simple“In the strict sense of the word, a tomato is actually a fruit.”
In context“The lawyer argued for a strict interpretation of the contract, insisting that the literal phrasing took precedence over the spirit of the agreement.”
Antonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
used to emphasize that something must be kept totally secret or private.
absolute or complete; often used to describe levels of privacy or confidentiality.
Simple“The medical results are kept in strict confidence between the doctor and the patient.”
In context“The research was conducted under conditions of strict secrecy to prevent competitors from discovering the new formula before the patent was filed.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
describes a plant that grows very straight and narrow.
describing a plant or flower cluster that is upright, straight, and narrow in form.
Simple“The gardener chose a strict variety of evergreen to fit in the narrow space.”
In context“The species is easily identified by its strict inflorescence, which stands in sharp contrast to the more diffuse clusters of its relatives.”
Usage strict rules
Borrowed from Latin strictus, past participle of stringere (“to draw tight, bind, contract”). Doublet of strait and stretto. See stringent, strain. Related to strong.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.