strict
strict — adjective
1. insisting that rules are followed completely and being willing to punish anyone
insisting that rules are followed completely and being willing to punish anyone who breaks them
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.
Aarav's parents were strict about screen time and allowed only one hour of games daily.
Zola's grandmother was strict about table manners and expected everyone to sit up straight.
文法句型
strict about [something]
strict with [someone]
用法筆記
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).
常見錯誤
2. exactly correct, with no room for mistakes or deviation from what is accurate
exactly correct, with no room for mistakes or deviation from what is accurate
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.
In strict mathematical terms, a square is a rectangle with four equal sides.
The architect followed strict measurements to make sure the bridge was completely safe.
文法句型
strict + noun (interpretation, definition, sense, order)
用法筆記
Frequently modifies nouns like interpretation, definition, sense, and terms. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not apply to people.
常見錯誤
3. obeying every requirement of a faith, philosophy, or lifestyle without any compr
obeying every requirement of a faith, philosophy, or lifestyle without any compromise
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
The monastery maintains strict silence during meal times as part of its spiritual practice.
As a strict vegan, Beatriz checks every ingredient label before buying any food product.
文法句型
strict + [religion/belief/system noun]
strict follower of
用法筆記
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
confined to the narrowest, most technical interpretation of a term, rather than its wider everyday use
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.
Strictly speaking, she is not an employee but a freelance consultant paid by the project.
Strictly speaking, a penguin is a bird even though it cannot fly.
文法句型
in the strict sense
strictly speaking
用法筆記
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.