strict
gb/stɹˈɪkt/ us/stɹˈɪkt/
B1
Kiingereza
~ 7200
Maana
maana 0
adjective
B1
property
1
demanding that rules are obeyed
describing a person who makes other people follow rules and does not allow much freedom
Muundo wa matumizi:
be strict with [someone] about [something]
Kosa la kawaida:
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.
Visawe
firm (suggests fair but strong control, sometimes softer and more positive than 'strict')
Vinyume
lenient (describes someone who allows more freedom and does not punish strongly when rules are broken)
Miunganiko ya maneno
strict parents
|strict teacher
|strict upbringing
|be strict with
|strict discipline
|strict boss
Mada
family
|education
|work
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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
Muundo wa matumizi:
strict [rules/controls/limits] on [something]
Kosa la kawaida:
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*.
Visawe
stringent (more formal; often used for official rules, regulations, and standards)
Vinyume
relaxed (describes rules or controls that are not very tight or demanding)
Miunganiko ya maneno
strict rules
|strict regulations
|strict security
|strict curfew
|strict diet
|strict control
Mada
law
|health
|safety
|work
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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
Muundo wa matumizi:
in the strict sense (of [the word])
Kosa la kawaida:
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.
Visawe
literal (focuses more on basic dictionary meaning of a word, while 'strict' stresses narrow limits or exact conditions)
Vinyume
broad (describes an interpretation or meaning that includes extra or related ideas beyond the narrow core)
Miunganiko ya maneno
in the strict sense
|strict definition
|strict interpretation
|strict separation
|strict distinction
|strict sense of the word
Mada
language
|logic
|law
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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
Muundo wa matumizi:
strict inequality between [two values]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse *strict* and *non-strict* inequalities, using the wrong sign (for example, writing ">=" when the question asks for a *strict* inequality ">" only).
Visawe
non-inclusive (technical term; focuses on the idea that equality is not included in the relation)
Vinyume
non-strict (technical; describes inequalities that allow equality, like ">=" or "<=")
Miunganiko ya maneno
strict inequality
|strictly greater than
|strict ordering
|strictly less than
|strict subset
Mada
math
|science
|education
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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
Muundo wa matumizi:
strict liability for [damage/offence]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may think *strict liability* just means "very serious responsibility". In legal contexts it has a specific meaning: responsibility without needing to prove fault.
Visawe
absolute (in legal style, suggests responsibility that is complete and not reduced by excuses, similar but not identical in technical meaning)
Vinyume
fault-based (describes legal systems where blame must be shown before someone is held responsible)
Miunganiko ya maneno
strict liability
|strict compliance
|strict enforcement
|strict scrutiny
Mada
law
|business
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- 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.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
strict
IPA
GB/stɹˈɪkt/
US/stɹˈɪkt/
Silabi na mkazo
strict (silabi 1)
Stress on 1st syllable (strict)
Maumbo ya neno
Adjective
- Base: strict
- Comparative: stricter
- Superlative: strictest
Familia ya neno
Forms
stricter
adjective
strictest
adjective
Core family
strictly
adverb B2
strictness
noun
Negative and opposite forms
lenient
adjective
Semi
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
Mifano
- 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
Mifano
- 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
Mifano
- 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
Mifano
- 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.
Mifano
- 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."
Mifano
- 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.