From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishstrictstrict /strɪkt/ ●●○ S3 adjective (comparative stricter, superlative strictest) 1 STRICTexpecting people to obey rules or to do what you say OPP lenient a strict teacherstrict about This company is very strict about punctuality.strict with The Stuarts are very strict with their children.2 STRICTa strict order or rule is one that must be obeyed You had strict instructions not to tell anybody. There are strict limits on presidential campaign contributions. He’s under strict orders from his doctor to quit smoking. I’m telling you this in the strictest confidence (=it must be kept completely secret).3 [usually before noun]EXACT exact and correct, often in a way that seems unreasonable Amy was attractive, although not beautiful in the strictest sense of the word.4 OBEYSTRICTobeying all the rules of a religion or set of principles He was raised a strict Catholic. a strict vegetarian —strictness noun [uncountable]COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: a strict order or rule is one that must be obeyednounsstrict rules/regulations/guidelinesThere are strict rules and regulations regarding conduct.a strict code (=set of rules about what is acceptable)The club has a strict dress code.Doctors have a strict code of conduct.strict limitsMany airlines impose strict limits on the weight of baggage.strict orders/instructionsHe’s left strict instructions not to be disturbed.strict controlThere must be strict control of local government spending.strict discipline (=rules of behaviour which must be obeyed)The head teacher insists upon strict discipline throughout the school.strict requirementsLandlords must comply with strict safety requirements. strict criteria (=standards that are used for judging someone or making a decision about them)The supermarket’s suppliers must meet strict criteria.a strict dietHe went on a strict diet and lost a lot of weight.phrasesin strict confidence/in the strictest confidence (=kept completely secret)Any information you give will be treated in the strictest confidence. THESAURUSstrict expecting people to obey rules or to do what you say – used especially about parents, teachers, or organizationsOur teachers were very strict.Most schools are quite strict about the way students dress.firm showing that you are in control of the situation and will not change your opinion, especially when you are telling someone what to doYou have to be firm with young children.I’ll be firm with him and tell him he can’t have any more money.tough determined that your orders or decisions will be obeyed, especially in order to make sure that a situation improves – used especially when you think that someone is right to be strictWe need a government that is tough on crime.She can be quite tough with her students, but they respect her for it.The chancellor has got to be tough and keep government spending down.stern strict in a serious, disapproving, and rather unfriendly wayHer grandfather was a stern man who rarely smiled.Sheila walked into the museum, under the stern gaze of the curator.harsh punishing or criticizing someone in a way that seems very severe, often too severeDon’t be too harsh on her – she’s only a child.It may seem harsh to punish him, but he has to learn that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable.Her reaction to the child’s bad behaviour was unnecessarily harsh.authoritarian disapproving very strict about forcing people to obey rules or laws, and punishing them very severely if they fail to do this – used about people and governmentsHer father was very authoritarian and insisted on total obedience.an authoritarian governmentrule/law/systemstrict a strict order or rule is one that must be obeyedThere are strict rules about keeping tax records.He had strict instructions to return the key to me.tight tight controls or limits are very strict about what is allowed and what is not allowedThe report recommends tighter controls on the advertising of alcohol.There are tight regulations governing waste disposal.tough tough laws or rules are very strictThey want tougher laws against drinking and driving.The federal government is introducing tough new rules on immigration.harsh harsh punishments or laws are very severe, often too severeThere are harsh penalties for drug trafficking.The government has brought in harsh measures to combat the rioting taking place in many cities.stringent controlling what people can do with rules that have very high standardsThere are now stringent controls on pollution from all power stations.stringent new food safety regulations
Examples from the Corpus
strict• The manager is very strict about people getting to work on time.• Most schools are quite strict about the way students dress.• Of course, there were tensions and conflicts, but discipline was strict and scandals were rare.• Chauvin, who was educated in New Orleans' strict black schools, was judged to have the fastest shorthand in Louisiana.• Teachers need to be strict , but also fair.• Dates must be listed in strict chronological order.• With all the resolve of her strict faith, she sailed with their son to Palermo, telling Tony it was Naples.• Back then, he said, most Orthodox Christians still adhered to strict fasting rules during the 40 days before Pasak.• Although some apply strict guidelines, others contract out their surveillance to private security companies.• Leaving her amour with strict instructions on how to find her, she retired to bed and waited.• He had strict instructions to return the key to me.• Under a strict interpretation of the rules, she would be suspended.• Japan has very strict laws against drugs and guns.• There are strict rules about the use of dangerous chemicals.• But Justice hesitated; it had never before asked any federal court to hold gender-based classification to the strict scrutiny standard.• In the strictest sense of the word, all popular fiction is 'romantic'.• The harvester moved round the field in a strict square, so that the standing crop grew smaller and smaller with every pass.• I think you're too strict with your children.strict about• The hospital is quite strict about visiting hours.strict limits• Impose strict limits on dissemination of passenger travel data and the use of overly intrusive searches.• This sets strict limits on emissions in an effort to reduce the country's contribution to global warming and acid rain.• If your child crosses that line, you need to place strict limits on his behavior.• Invoking strict limits on online news, including requiring Web sites to get their news from state media.• But Brian Hickey, Harlequin's president, says the agreement with Alliance puts strict limits on production costs.• The Maastricht rules also impose strict limits on public debt.• The Cabinet is set to impose strict limits on public sector pay.• Enforceability Though the agencies do not regard standards as strict limits, their enforceability is important.in the strictest sense of the word• Well, not in the strictest sense of the word.Origin strict (1400-1500) Latin strictus, past participle of stringere; → STRINGENT 