strictly
adv.-
1 following rules exactly (adv.) B2 Upper Intermediatein a way that follows rules or orders exactly without any changes.
in a manner that demands total obedience or rigorous adherence to established rules or standards.
ExampleThe school rules are strictly enforced to ensure all students stay safe.
ExampleThe laboratory protocols must be strictly followed to prevent cross-contamination between the sensitive biological samples.
UsageOften modifies verbs like 'enforce', 'follow', or 'prohibit'.
- rigorously
- precisely
- stringently
- loosely
- leniently
-
2 only or exclusively (adv.) B2 Upper Intermediateused to say that something is for one purpose or group only.
used to indicate that a statement or condition applies exclusively to a specific person, group, or activity.
ExampleThis parking area is strictly for staff members with a valid permit.
ExampleThe funds were strictly allocated for infrastructure repairs, meaning they could not be diverted to cover administrative salaries.
UsageCommonly used with 'for' or 'limited to'.
Show 2 more sensesShow fewer
-
3 precise meaning (adv.) C1 Advanced Formalused when you are talking about the exact or literal meaning of a word.
used to indicate that a word or phrase is being used in its most precise, literal, or technical sense.
ExampleStrictly speaking, a tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable.
ExampleStrictly speaking, the agreement is not a treaty but a memorandum of understanding between the two departments.
UsageFrequently appears in the fixed phrase 'strictly speaking'.
-
4 mathematical inequality (adv.) C2 Proficiency Technical Mathin math, used to show that one value is always greater or smaller than another, never equal.
describing a relationship where an inequality holds without the possibility of equality.
ExampleThe function is strictly increasing, so the line always goes up.
ExampleA strictly monotonic function ensures that for any two distinct points in the domain, their images are also distinct.
UsageTypically modifies adjectives like 'increasing', 'decreasing', 'greater than', or 'less than'.
From strict + -ly.