Definition of "justify" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To provide an acceptable explanation for.

   • How can you justify spending so much money on clothes?
   • Paying too much for car insurance is not justified.

2. (transitive) To be a good reason behind a normally-unacceptable action; to warrant.

   • Nothing can justify your rude behaviour last night.

3. (transitive, typography) To arrange (text) on a page or a computer screen such that the left and right ends of all lines within paragraphs are aligned.

   • The text will look better justified.

4. (transitive) To absolve, and declare to be free of blame or sin.

5. (reflexive) To give reasons for one’s actions; to make an argument to prove that one is in the right.

   • She felt no need to justify herself for deciding not to invite him.

6. (transitive) To prove; to ratify; to confirm.

7. (law) To show (a person) to have had a sufficient legal reason for an act that has been made the subject of a charge or accusation.

8. (law) To qualify (oneself) as a surety by taking oath to the ownership of sufficient property.