justify
/ˈdʒʌs.tɪ.faɪ/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To give a reason that shows something is right or acceptable. It can also mean to show that an action was necessary.
- Can you justify this expense?
- He tried to justify his decision.
- Nothing can justify that behaviour.
Adinary Nuance
Justify is stronger than explain. You explain something when you make it clear; you justify it when you prove it is reasonable or right. It is also different from defend, which often suggests protecting someone or something from criticism. In academic and business English, justify is common when you need to support a choice with reasons.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- biện minh
- Spanish
- justificar
- Chinese
- 证明合理
- Japanese
- 正当化する
- Korean
- 정당화하다
Etymology
From Old French justifier, from Latin justificare, meaning “make right” or “show to be right.” It has been used in English since the 14th century.
Common phrases
justify a decisionjustify a costjustify an actionjustify oneself
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is justify formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal. People often use it in writing, meetings, and academic English.
- What is the difference between justify and explain?
- Explain means make something clear. Justify means show that something is right, needed, or acceptable.
- Can I use justify in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It is a useful academic word for giving reasons and supporting your opinion.
- What does justify oneself mean?
- It means to explain your actions and show they were right or reasonable.