What does strictness mean?
Strictness is the quality of being firm, exacting, or unwilling to relax rules, standards, or expectations. It is often used when discussing education, law, discipline, religion, personal behavior, or the careful interpretation of language. The word can be approving when strictness means consistency and reliability, as in “the strictness of the testing procedure,” but it can also imply harshness or excessive control when strictness is imposed without flexibility. In everyday English, it often appears in phrases such as “the strictness of the rules” and “strictness in discipline.” The related adjective is strict, and the adverb is strictly. Although strictness is primarily uncountable in modern use, plural forms such as “strictnesses” are possible when contrasting different degrees or types of strictness.
nounThe quality of being strict, especially in following rules, accepting only exact or high standards, or treating situations with severity. It can also refer to the degree to which a rule or principle is applied without exception.
- The quality of being strict, especially in adherence to rules or standards.
- Severity or firmness in enforcing rules or expectations.
- Exactness or precision in an interpretation, arrangement, or condition.
"The strictness of the school’s disciplinary rules surprised the new pupils."
"The judge was known for the strictness of his rulings."
"Her insistence on exact measurements introduced a degree of strictness into the experiment."
Rare in modern usage; strictness is usually uncountable, though plural forms can distinguish different kinds or degrees of strictness.
"The two schools were known for their contrasting strictnesses."
Strictness comes from Latin strictus, meaning “drawn tight,” a fitting origin for a quality that leaves little room for looseness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does strictness come from?
The word strictness was formed in English by adding the suffix “-ness” to strict. Strict ultimately comes through Old French stricte from Latin strictus, meaning “drawn tight,” and by extension “close,” “precise,” or “rigorous.” The same Latin root is reflected in words such as stricture, restrict, and constrict, although their meanings developed along separate paths.
Related word forms
How strictness is actually used
Strictness is neutral when it describes faithful adherence to a rule or standard, but it can suggest excessive severity or inflexibility when modified by words such as “excessive” or “unnecessary.”