strict

strict — adjective

1. insisting that rules are followed completely and being willing to punish anyone

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

insisting that rules are followed completely and being willing to punish anyone who breaks them

Example

Coach Dario was strict about punctuality and made late arrivals run laps around the field.

strict about [something] — a rule or topic

The apartment building has strict rules about noise after ten o'clock at night.

Common collocations
  • strict about
  • strict with
  • strict rules
  • strict discipline
  • strict parents
  • strict teacher
Synonyms
  • severe

    stronger, implies harshness or intensity of punishment rather than just rule enforcement

  • stern

    more about facial expression or manner than about enforcing rules

  • firm

    less harsh than strict; suggests steadiness rather than rigidity

Antonyms
  • lenient

    allows rules to be bent or broken without punishment

  • relaxed

    not demanding or severe about rules

Grammar Patterns

strict about [something]

strict with [someone]

Usage Note

This sense is the most common use of strict. The subject is typically a person in authority (parent, teacher, coach) or an institution (school, government, company).

Common Mistakes

My boss is very strict with the project deadline.
My boss is very strict about the project deadline.
Use 'strict about' for rules or requirements, not 'strict with'.

2. exactly correct, with no room for mistakes or deviation from what is accurate

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

exactly correct, with no room for mistakes or deviation from what is accurate

Example

A strict interpretation of the law would mean that this action is illegal.

strict interpretation — a precise, literal reading

The report was arranged in strict chronological order, starting from the earliest event.

Common collocations
  • strict interpretation
  • strict definition
  • strict sense
  • strict order
  • strict terms
Synonyms
  • precise

    emphasises exactness of measurement or detail

  • exact

    emphasises complete agreement with a standard or fact

  • literal

    follows the exact words without interpretation

Antonyms
  • loose

    not tightly defined or enforced

  • broad

    covering a wide range rather than a narrow precise meaning

Grammar Patterns

strict + noun (interpretation, definition, sense, order)

Usage Note

Frequently modifies nouns like interpretation, definition, sense, and terms. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not apply to people.

Common Mistakes

The teacher is very strict about the definition of a noun.
The teacher gave the strict definition of a noun.
When using 'strict' to mean 'exact and precise', place it directly before the noun, not after 'about'.

3. obeying every requirement of a faith, philosophy, or lifestyle without any compr

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

obeying every requirement of a faith, philosophy, or lifestyle without any compromise

Example

The community follows a strict vegetarian diet based on their religious beliefs.

Élise was raised as a strict Catholic and attended church every Sunday without fail.

strict + [religious denomination] — devout follower

Common collocations
  • strict adherence
  • strict follower
  • strict Catholic
  • strict Muslim
  • strict vegetarian
  • strict silence
Synonyms
  • devout

    specifically religious; focuses on sincere devotion rather than rule-following

  • orthodox

    conforming to established doctrine, especially in religion

  • observant

    careful to follow religious laws or customs

Antonyms
  • lax

    not strict or careful about following rules or principles

  • liberal

    open to new interpretations rather than strictly following tradition

Grammar Patterns

strict + [religion/belief/system noun]

strict follower of

Usage Note

Describes a person who follows a belief system or practice with great exactness, or the practice itself when it demands such exactness. Commonly used before religious labels (strict Catholic, strict Muslim) and lifestyle labels (strict vegan, strict vegetarian).

4. confined to the narrowest, most technical interpretation of a term, rather than

4.adjectiveC1
Definition

confined to the narrowest, most technical interpretation of a term, rather than its wider everyday use

Example

In the strict sense, a tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable.

in the strict sense — narrow, technical meaning

A nephew in the strict sense means your sibling's son, not your cousin's son.

Common collocations
  • in the strict sense
  • strictly speaking
  • strict definition
Synonyms
  • narrow

    limited in scope; less formal than 'strict sense'

  • technical

    relating to the precise meaning used in a specific field

Antonyms
  • broad

    covering many meanings or cases

  • loose

    not tightly defined; allowing flexible interpretation

Grammar Patterns

in the strict sense

strictly speaking

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the fixed phrases 'in the strict sense' or with the adverb 'strictly speaking'. Used to clarify that the speaker is using the most limited, technical definition of a term rather than its broader everyday meaning.

Common Mistakes

Strict word, a penguin is a bird that cannot fly.
In the strict sense of the word, a penguin is a bird even though it cannot fly.
The phrase 'strict sense' needs the full frame 'in the strict sense of the word' to be grammatical.

Word family

  • strictly
    adverbB1
  • strictness
    nounB2
  • stricture
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Strict (B1) is the most general and common word, focusing on the enforcement of rules with little tolerance for disobedience. Severe (B2) is stronger and implies harshness or intensity, often describing punishments, weather, or criticism rather than rule enforcement — a severe penalty is more intense than a strict one. Rigorous (B2) emphasises thoroughness and precision of method, used in academic, scientific, or training contexts (rigorous testing, rigorous training). Stringent (C1) describes very tight controls or limits with almost no flexibility, commonly used with regulations, budgets, or security measures (stringent safety standards). Exacting (C1) demands very high standards and great precision, often describing a person's expectations or work requirements (an exacting editor). For example: a strict teacher enforces classroom rules; a severe judge hands down a harsh sentence; a rigorous study follows a thorough methodology; stringent environmental laws leave no exceptions; an exacting chef rejects any dish that is not perfect.

strictsevererigorousstringentexacting

Common collocations

Nouns

  • rules
  • guidelines
  • instructions
  • standards
  • control
  • supervision
  • adherence
  • discipline
  • regulations
  • laws
  • measures

Adverbs

  • very strict
  • extremely strict
  • quite strict
  • too strict
  • increasingly strict
  • fairly strict

Phrases

  • strictly speaking
  • in the strict sense

Prepositions

  • strict about
  • strict with

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Strict entered English in the late 16th century from Latin strictus, the past participle of stringere, meaning 'to draw tight, bind, or compress'. The core image of something drawn tight carried over metaphorically into rules being tightly enforced and meanings being tightly defined. The same Latin root stringere gave English strain, string, stringent, and stricture.