justice
gb/d͡ʒˈʌstɪs/ us/d͡ʒˈʌstɪs/
B1
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Fairness and moral rightness
Fair treatment of people based on laws and what is right.
Usage pattern:
[someone] seeks justice for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'justice' with 'just' (adjective) or 'justify' (verb). 'Justice' is a noun referring to fairness or law.
Synonyms
fairness (A broader, everyday term for treating people equally and reasonably.)
|
equity (Often used in formal or legal contexts to mean fairness in treatment.)
Antonyms
injustice (Refers to unfair treatment or a lack of fairness.)
Collocations
seek justice
|do justice
|bring to justice
|justice system
|social justice
Themes
law
|ethics
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The victims' families are still fighting for justice.
- Justice requires that everyone be treated equally under the law.
- He believes that justice was not served in the trial.
- The new policy aims to promote social justice.
- Bringing the criminal to justice took years of work.
Learner examples
- She wants justice for her brother.
- The law should give justice to all.
- They hope the court will give them justice.
- Justice is important in every country.
- We need justice in our community.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
2
The system of law and courts
The system of laws and courts in a country.
Synonyms
judiciary (Formal term for the system of courts and judges.)
Collocations
criminal justice
|justice system
|Department of Justice
Themes
law
|government
|politics
Examples
- She works in the criminal justice system.
- The Department of Justice announced new reforms.
- Justice must be impartial to be effective.
Learner examples
- He studies criminal justice at college.
- The justice system protects people.
- Many people work in justice in the city.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
3
A judge in a high court
A judge in a high court, such as the Supreme Court.
Synonyms
judge (General term; 'justice' is used for higher courts.)
Collocations
Supreme Court Justice
|associate justice
|Chief Justice
Themes
law
|work
Examples
- Justice Roberts wrote the majority opinion.
- Three justices dissented from the ruling.
- She was appointed as an associate justice last year.
Learner examples
- Justice Smith spoke in court.
- The Chief Justice leads the court.
- A justice makes important decisions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
justice
IPA
GB/d͡ʒˈʌstɪs/
US/d͡ʒˈʌstɪs/
Syllables & stress
justice (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (justice)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: justice
- Plural: justice, justices
Word family
Expressions
bring to justice
1/bɹˈɪŋ tə d͡ʒˈʌstɪs/
fixed phrase
Capture and punish legally
To catch someone who did something wrong and make them go to court or be punished by law.
Examples
- The police finally brought the suspect to justice.
- War criminals must be brought to justice.
do justice to [something/someone]
1/dˈu d͡ʒˈʌstɪs tə səmˈɛθɪŋsˈoʊmˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
Represent fairly or accurately
To show or describe something in a way that is as good as it really is.
Examples
- The photo doesn't do justice to the beauty of the mountains.
- His speech did justice to her achievements.
justice is served
1/d͡ʒˈʌstɪs ˈɪz sˈɚvd/
fixed phrase
Correct outcome achieved
Used when the right person is punished or the right result happens, especially in law.
Examples
- After years of delays, justice was finally served.
- With the guilty verdict, many felt that justice had been served.