strict
demanding that rules are obeyed
describing a person who makes other people follow rules and does not allow much freedom
be strict with [someone] about [something]
- Her parents were very strict and rarely let her stay out late.
- The coach is strict about punctuality and expects everyone to arrive ten minutes early.
- We need to be strict with the children about doing their homework.
- My school had a strict headmaster who enforced every rule.
- He tries to be strict with himself about wasting time online.
- My father is very strict with me.
- Our teacher is strict about homework.
- The school is strict, but the students learn a lot.
- I am strict with my little brother when I babysit him.
- Her parents are not strict, so she can go out often.
allowing no exceptions; very firm
describing rules or limits that are very strong and must be followed exactly, with almost no freedom
strict [rules/controls/limits] on [something]
- New, strict regulations were introduced to improve workplace safety.
- The country has strict controls on the import of certain medicines.
- After his heart attack, he went on a strict diet and stopped eating sugar.
- There is a strict curfew in the city after 10 p.m.
- The lab follows strict procedures when handling chemicals.
- This school has very strict rules.
- The company has strict rules about smoking.
- My doctor told me to follow a strict diet.
- There are strict laws about drinking and driving.
- The airport has strict security checks.
exact; in the narrow sense
showing the exact, narrow meaning of a word, idea, or rule, not a wide or general meaning
in the strict sense (of [the word])
- In the strict sense of the word, this is not a democracy.
- The court adopted a strict interpretation of the contract.
- Economists use the term "recession" in a strict, technical sense.
- There is a strict distinction between these two legal concepts.
- Science, in the strict sense, relies on testable hypotheses.
- In the strict sense, this word means something different.
- He used the word in a very strict way.
- The law has a strict meaning in this case.
- This is not a sport in the strict sense of the word.
- We need a strict definition for this term.
mathematics: non-inclusive inequality
in math and logic, describing a sign or rule like ">" or "<" that does not allow the numbers to be equal
strict inequality between [two values]
- The condition x > 0 is a strict inequality, because x cannot be zero.
- A function that is strictly increasing satisfies a strict ordering of its values.
- In this proof we require a strict subset, not one that could be equal to the original set.
- The sign ">" shows a strict inequality.
- x > 3 is a strict condition, but x ≥ 3 is not.
- A strictly increasing function always gets bigger and never stays the same.
legal: no-fault responsibility
in law, meaning that a person or company is responsible even if they did not mean to do something wrong and were not careless
strict liability for [damage/offence]
- Manufacturers can face strict liability for injuries caused by defective products.
- The contract requires strict compliance with all safety standards.
- The policy is subject to strict scrutiny by the constitutional court.
- In some cases, the law uses strict liability.
- Strict liability means the company must pay even if it was careful.
- The court asked for strict compliance with the order.
- Base: strict
- Comparative: stricter
- Superlative: strictest
strictly necessary
1only what is truly needed
used to say that something is needed in a real and exact way, and that anything extra is not wanted
- We will only keep your data for as long as is strictly necessary.
- The budget covers only what is strictly necessary for the project.
strictly prohibited
1completely forbidden by rules
used to say that something is not allowed at all, with no exceptions
- Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the building.
- Use of mobile phones during the exam is strictly prohibited.
under strict orders
1having firm instructions to obey
having very clear and firm instructions from someone in authority that you must follow exactly
- The guards were under strict orders not to let anyone in.
- I'm under strict orders from my doctor to rest for two weeks.
strictly confidential
1must not be shared with others
used to say that information is very private and must not be told to other people
- All applications will be treated as strictly confidential.
- This report is strictly confidential and for internal use only.
strictly confidential
2must be kept completely secret
Used to say that some information must be kept completely secret and should not be shared with other people.
- All applications will be treated as strictly confidential.
- This memo is strictly confidential and must not be copied or emailed outside the team.
- The list of bidders is strictly confidential until the contract is awarded.
strictly speaking
1to be exact; technically
Used before you say something that is true in a very exact way, even if people do not usually talk like that; similar to "technically."
- Strictly speaking, this is an apartment, not a house.
- Strictly speaking, this is not a loan but a gift.
- Strictly speaking, you should apply before the end of the month, but late applications are sometimes accepted.
- Strictly speaking, whales are mammals, not fish.
- Strictly speaking, that word is not used like that in formal English.