WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
strict•ly
(strikt′lē),USA pronunciation adv.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- in a strict manner;
rigorously;
stringently:strictly enforced. - precisely or candidly;
factually:strictly speaking.
- strict + -ly 1480–90
strict /strɪkt/USA pronunciation
adj., -er, -est.
strict•ness, n. [uncountable]See -strict-.
-strict-, root.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- closely agreeing with requirements or principles:a strict observance of rituals.
- severe;
demanding:We have strict traffic laws. - exact;
precise;
carefully limited:It wasn't robbery in the strict sense of the word. - absolute;
complete:strict silence.
strict•ness, n. [uncountable]See -strict-.
-strict-, root.
- -strict- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "draw tight;
bind;
tighten.'' This meaning is found in such words as: constrict, district, redistrict, restrict, strict, stricture.
strict
(strikt),USA pronunciation adj., -er, -est.
strict′ness, n.
- characterized by or acting in close conformity to requirements or principles:a strict observance of rituals.
- stringent or exacting in or in enforcing rules, requirements, obligations, etc.:strict laws; a strict judge.
- closely or rigorously enforced or maintained:strict silence.
- exact or precise:a strict statement of facts.
- extremely defined or conservative;
narrowly or carefully limited:a strict construction of the Constitution. - close, careful, or minute:a strict search.
- absolute, perfect, or complete;
utmost:told in strict confidence. - stern;
severe;
austere:strict parents. - [Obs.]drawn tight or close.
- Latin strictus, equivalent. to strig-, variant stem of stringere to draw tight + -tus past participle suffix
- 1570–80
- 1. narrow, illiberal, harsh, austere. Strict, rigid, rigorous, stringent imply inflexibility, severity, and an exacting quality. Strict implies great exactness, esp. in the observance or enforcement of rules:strict discipline.Rigid, literally stiff or unbending, applies to that which is (often unnecessarily or narrowly) inflexible:rigid economy.Rigorous, with the same literal meaning, applies to that which is severe, exacting, and uncompromising, esp. in action or application:rigorous self-denial.Stringent applies to that which is vigorously exacting and severe:stringent measures to suppress disorder. 4. accurate, scrupulous.
- 1. flexible, lax.
'strictly' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
AD
- atavism
- bird
- Bloomfield
- Boxing Day
- clinical
- close
- controlled explosion
- Essene
- exact
- extrapolate
- faïence
- giusto
- hard-shell
- harem
- harmonic series
- law-abiding
- less
- Luhrmann
- non troppo
- observant
- precise
- Rocky Mountains
- severe
- targetitis
- Tibet
- Tin Pan Alley
- Vitoria
- Wahhabi
- work-to-rule
- Anglican chant
- austere
- bobbysocks
- churchy
- corset
- cuff
- data processing
- de rigueur
- dollars-and-cents
- dullsville
- enforce
- extern
- falsehood
- gamesmanship
- glatt kosher
- hunger
- improper
- inexact
- jack Mormon
- line