justice
justice — noun
1. the quality of treating people in a way that is fair and morally right, especial
the quality of treating people in a way that is fair and morally right, especially by giving each person what they deserve without favouring one side over another
Reema's parents taught her that justice means treating everyone the same, regardless of their background.
justice + means + gerund — definition pattern
The committee's decision to award the prize to both students was an act of justice.
collocation: an act of justice
Amelia argued that there can be no lasting peace without social justice for all communities.
Hassan believed the new policy would bring justice to workers who were underpaid.
Min's decision to share the inheritance equally was praised as an act of simple justice.
- fairness
more general and less formal; justice implies a moral or legal principle, while fairness suggests even-handed treatment in everyday situations
- equity
more formal, often used in legal or economic contexts to mean fairness based on what is deserved
- impartiality
focuses on not favouring any side; used especially in formal or official contexts
- injustice
the opposite — lack of fairness or an unfair situation
- unfairness
more general and less formal than injustice
文法句型
justice + requires + that-clause
bring + justice + to + noun phrase
social / racial / economic + justice
用法筆記
This sense is uncountable — do not use with 'a' ('a justice' means a judge, not fairness). Common in fixed phrases like 'do justice to something' and 'do yourself justice' (see idioms below).
常見錯誤
2. the system of courts, laws, and officials that a country uses to judge whether s
the system of courts, laws, and officials that a country uses to judge whether someone has broken the law and to decide on a punishment
Christopher was determined to bring the thief to justice, no matter how long it took.
idiom: bring [someone] to justice
After a trial lasting two years, Wren finally felt that justice had been served.
fixed phrase: justice was / had been served
Dylan wanted to become a lawyer and work in the criminal justice system.
The Minister announced new reforms to speed up the delivery of justice in local courts.
Quinn studied international justice at university and later worked for the United Nations.
- crime
what the justice system exists to deal with; not a direct antonym but opposite in outcome
文法句型
justice + is + served/done
the + justice + system
bring + someone + to + justice
用法筆記
Frequently appears in fixed phrases: 'bring someone to justice' (arrest and try), 'justice is served/done' (the legal system has worked correctly), 'miscarriage of justice' (a wrong legal outcome). Also uncountable — never 'a justice' to mean the legal system.
常見錯誤
3. a judge, especially one who works in a higher court such as a Supreme Court, who
a judge, especially one who works in a higher court such as a Supreme Court, whose job is to hear serious legal cases and make official decisions
The justice asked the lawyers several questions before the court took a short break.
After thirty years as a lawyer, Mert became a justice of the Supreme Court.
collocation: justice of the [court name]
The two justices disagreed on the law, so the case was heard again.
As a new justice, Sivan had to decide on difficult appeals in her first month.
- judge
general term for any court official; 'justice' is used specifically for higher courts in the US and as a title in the UK
- magistrate
handles minor cases in lower courts; less senior than a justice
文法句型
a + justice + of + the + [court name]
用法筆記
Countable — 'a justice', 'two justices'. In American English, 'justice' is the standard term for a Supreme Court judge. In British English, 'judge' is more common for most courts, while 'Justice' (with a capital J) is used as a title for High Court judges (see sense 4 below). 'Justice of the Peace' is a lower-level official in both varieties.
常見錯誤
4. a formal title placed before a senior judge's surname to indicate that they serv
a formal title placed before a senior judge's surname to indicate that they serve on a High Court or Court of Appeal
The case was heard by Justice Okonkwo in the Court of Appeal last Tuesday.
usage: Justice + surname as formal title
Justice Rodriguez wrote a detailed opinion explaining the court's decision on the matter.
The official invitation was addressed to 'The Honourable Justice Chen' at the High Court.
When Justice Kim entered the courtroom, the lawyers stood up as a sign of respect.
文法句型
Justice + [surname]
The Honourable Justice + [surname]
用法筆記
Always used with a surname, never a given name alone. In formal writing, the full style is 'The Honourable Justice [Surname]'. Verbally, judges are addressed as 'My Lord' or 'My Lady' (in the UK High Court) or simply 'Your Honour' (in Commonwealth countries). In the US, this title is not used — judges are called 'Judge [Surname]'.