strict
gb/stɹˈɪkt/ us/stɹˈɪkt/
B1
Anglais
~ 7200
Sens
0 sens
adjective
B1
property
1
demanding that rules are obeyed
describing a person who makes other people follow rules and does not allow much freedom
Schéma d’usage :
be strict with [someone] about [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often say *"strict to someone"* instead of *"strict with someone"* (e.g., say "My parents are strict with me," not "strict to me"). They may also confuse *strict* with *serious*; *strict* focuses on rules and control, not just a person's mood.
Synonymes
firm (suggests fair but strong control, sometimes softer and more positive than 'strict')
Antonymes
lenient (describes someone who allows more freedom and does not punish strongly when rules are broken)
Collocations
strict parents
|strict teacher
|strict upbringing
|be strict with
|strict discipline
|strict boss
Thèmes
family
|education
|work
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
adjective
B2
property
2
allowing no exceptions; very firm
describing rules or limits that are very strong and must be followed exactly, with almost no freedom
Schéma d’usage :
strict [rules/controls/limits] on [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes say *"hard rules"* instead of *"strict rules"*. Use *strict* (or *tough*) for rules that are very firm. Also, *strong law* is less natural than *strict law* or *strict laws*.
Synonymes
stringent (more formal; often used for official rules, regulations, and standards)
Antonymes
relaxed (describes rules or controls that are not very tight or demanding)
Collocations
strict rules
|strict regulations
|strict security
|strict curfew
|strict diet
|strict control
Thèmes
law
|health
|safety
|work
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
exact; in the narrow sense
showing the exact, narrow meaning of a word, idea, or rule, not a wide or general meaning
Schéma d’usage :
in the strict sense (of [the word])
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may say *"strong meaning"* when they want to say *"strict sense"* or *"exact meaning"*. Use *strict sense* or *strict meaning* to talk about the narrow, precise use of a word or idea.
Synonymes
literal (focuses more on basic dictionary meaning of a word, while 'strict' stresses narrow limits or exact conditions)
Antonymes
broad (describes an interpretation or meaning that includes extra or related ideas beyond the narrow core)
Collocations
in the strict sense
|strict definition
|strict interpretation
|strict separation
|strict distinction
|strict sense of the word
Thèmes
language
|logic
|law
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
adjective
technical
C1
property
4
mathematics: non-inclusive inequality
in math and logic, describing a sign or rule like ">" or "<" that does not allow the numbers to be equal
Schéma d’usage :
strict inequality between [two values]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse *strict* and *non-strict* inequalities, using the wrong sign (for example, writing ">=" when the question asks for a *strict* inequality ">" only).
Synonymes
non-inclusive (technical term; focuses on the idea that equality is not included in the relation)
Antonymes
non-strict (technical; describes inequalities that allow equality, like ">=" or "<=")
Collocations
strict inequality
|strictly greater than
|strict ordering
|strictly less than
|strict subset
Thèmes
math
|science
|education
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
adjective
technical
C2
property
5
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
Schéma d’usage :
strict liability for [damage/offence]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may think *strict liability* just means "very serious responsibility". In legal contexts it has a specific meaning: responsibility without needing to prove fault.
Synonymes
absolute (in legal style, suggests responsibility that is complete and not reduced by excuses, similar but not identical in technical meaning)
Antonymes
fault-based (describes legal systems where blame must be shown before someone is held responsible)
Collocations
strict liability
|strict compliance
|strict enforcement
|strict scrutiny
Thèmes
law
|business
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
strict
API
GB/stɹˈɪkt/
US/stɹˈɪkt/
Syllabes et accentuation
strict (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (strict)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: strict
- Comparative: stricter
- Superlative: strictest
Famille de mots
Forms
stricter
adjective
strictest
adjective
Core family
strictly
adverb B2
strictness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
lenient
adjective
Expressions
strictly necessary
1/stɹˈɪktli nˈɛsɪsˌɛɹi/
fixed phrase
only what is truly needed
used to say that something is needed in a real and exact way, and that anything extra is not wanted
Exemples
- 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
1/stɹˈɪktli pɹoʊhˈɪbɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
formal
completely forbidden by rules
used to say that something is not allowed at all, with no exceptions
Exemples
- Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the building.
- Use of mobile phones during the exam is strictly prohibited.
under strict orders
1/ˈʌndɚ stɹˈɪkt ˈɔɹdɚz/
fixed phrase
having firm instructions to obey
having very clear and firm instructions from someone in authority that you must follow exactly
Exemples
- 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
1/stɹˈɪktli kˌɑnfədˈɛnʃəl/
fixed phrase
formal
must not be shared with others
used to say that information is very private and must not be told to other people
Exemples
- All applications will be treated as strictly confidential.
- This report is strictly confidential and for internal use only.
strictly confidential
2/stɹˈɪktli kˌɑnfədˈɛnʃəl/
fixed phrase
formal
must be kept completely secret
Used to say that some information must be kept completely secret and should not be shared with other people.
Exemples
- 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
1/stɹˈɪktli spˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
to 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."
Exemples
- 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.