# strictly

/ˈstɹɪktɫi/ (US) · /stɹˈɪktli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/strictly
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. following rules exactly

adverb · CEFR B2

in a way that follows rules or orders exactly without any changes.

For teachers: in a manner that demands total obedience or rigorous adherence to established rules or standards.

- The school rules are strictly enforced to ensure all students stay safe.
- The laboratory protocols must be strictly followed to prevent cross-contamination between the sensitive biological samples.

Usage: Often modifies verbs like 'enforce', 'follow', or 'prohibit'.

### 2. only or exclusively

adverb · CEFR B2

used to say that something is for one purpose or group only.

For teachers: used to indicate that a statement or condition applies exclusively to a specific person, group, or activity.

- This parking area is strictly for staff members with a valid permit.
- The funds were strictly allocated for infrastructure repairs, meaning they could not be diverted to cover administrative salaries.

Usage: Commonly used with 'for' or 'limited to'.

### 3. precise meaning

adverb · CEFR C1 · Formal

used when you are talking about the exact or literal meaning of a word.

For teachers: used to indicate that a word or phrase is being used in its most precise, literal, or technical sense.

- Strictly speaking, a tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable.
- Strictly speaking, the agreement is not a treaty but a memorandum of understanding between the two departments.

Usage: Frequently appears in the fixed phrase 'strictly speaking'.

### 4. mathematical inequality

adverb · CEFR C2 · Technical

in math, used to show that one value is always greater or smaller than another, never equal.

For teachers: describing a relationship where an inequality holds without the possibility of equality.

- The function is strictly increasing, so the line always goes up.
- A strictly monotonic function ensures that for any two distinct points in the domain, their images are also distinct.

Usage: Typically modifies adjectives like 'increasing', 'decreasing', 'greater than', or 'less than'.

## Examples

- The rules are strictly enforced here.
- The club is strictly for members only, so you cannot enter without a valid ID card.
- While the two theories appear similar to a casual observer, they are strictly different when analyzed through the lens of formal logic and mathematical proofs.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.