Definition of justify
Alternative spellings
Etymology
From Latin justificare ("make just"), from justus, iustus ("just"), + to make, from facere.
Pronunciation
Verb
to justify (third-person singular simple present justifies, present participle justifying, simple past and past participle justified)
- (transitive) To provide an acceptable explanation for.
How can you justify spending so much money on clothes?
Paying too much for car insurance is not justified.
- (transitive) To be a good, acceptable reason for.
Nothing can justify your rude behaviour last night.
- (transitive) To arrange (text) on a page or a computer screen such that the left and right ends of all lines within paragraphs are aligned.
The text will look better justified.
Related terms
References:
- Wiktionary. Published under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
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