strictly
/ˈstrɪktli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstrɪktli/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstrik(t)lē/ (ame, mw)
strictly — adverb
1. with complete and firm enforcement of rules, where breaking them leads to seriou
with complete and firm enforcement of rules, where breaking them leads to serious consequences.
The school strictly forbids students from using phones during class.
strictly forbids — collocation with verbs of prohibition
Airport security rules are strictly enforced by customs officers.
Ilan grew up in a home where all children strictly followed the bedtime rules.
The laboratory strictly controls access to any room containing dangerous chemicals.
Maja's parents strictly limited her screen time to one hour each day.
- severely
more focus on harshness of enforcement
- rigorously
more formal; emphasises thoroughness
- stringently
very formal; used in legal or regulatory contexts
文法句型
strictly + verb (forbid/prohibit/enforce/control)
用法筆記
Commonly paired with verbs of prohibition and enforcement: forbid, prohibit, ban, enforce, control, regulate.
常見錯誤
2. relating to one single person, group, or purpose, and not including anything bey
relating to one single person, group, or purpose, and not including anything beyond that.
The contents of this email are strictly confidential — please do not share them.
strictly confidential — common fixed phrase
The training workshop is strictly for department heads only.
The scholarship is strictly available to students from low-income families.
Joaquín understood that the data was strictly for internal use and not for clients.
Access to the rooftop garden is strictly for residents of the apartment building.
- exclusively
emphasises that nothing else is included
- solely
emphasises a single purpose or group
- only
more general and less formal
文法句型
strictly + adjective (confidential/limited/private)
strictly + for + noun
用法筆記
Often paired with adjectives such as confidential, limited, private, or personal to indicate that something is restricted to a narrow scope.
常見錯誤
3. in an accurate or precise way, according to the exact meaning of words or rules.
in an accurate or precise way, according to the exact meaning of words or rules.
That statement is not strictly accurate — the project finished under budget, not on time.
not strictly accurate — hedging pattern for nuanced correction
Strictly speaking, a tomato is a fruit, though many people treat it as a vegetable.
strictly speaking — fixed discourse marker
The engineer strictly followed the blueprints and measured every angle twice.
Strictly speaking, blue whales are not fish but mammals that live in the sea.
Ada's figures were not strictly correct because she had left out the sales tax.
- precisely
similar meaning but not used in the 'strictly speaking' construction
- exactly
more general and less formal
- accurately
focuses on correctness of facts
- loosely
approximately, without exact precision
- approximately
roughly, not exactly
文法句型
strictly speaking
not strictly + adjective (true/accurate/correct)
strictly + adjective (true/accurate)
用法筆記
The phrase 'strictly speaking' is a fixed discourse marker used to clarify facts or correct a common belief. Place it at the start of a clause for maximum clarity.
常見錯誤
4. used to emphasise that something must happen without exception, or that a statem
used to emphasise that something must happen without exception, or that a statement is completely true in all cases.
Attendance at the safety briefing is strictly required for every new worker.
strictly required — emphasis on universal obligation
The new policy applies strictly to all departments, from sales to logistics.
It is strictly necessary to wear protective goggles when using the cutting machine.
Marco reminded everyone that the deadline was strictly fixed and could not be moved.
These safety checks are strictly required before any night flight can depart.
- absolutely
stronger emphasis; more common in everyday speech
- completely
less formal; emphasises totality
- unconditionally
very formal; emphasises no exceptions
- optionally
not required; purely voluntary
- conditionally
depending on certain conditions
文法句型
strictly + past participle (required/limited/forbidden)
strictly + adjective (necessary/true)
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense does not imply punishment for breaking rules — it simply stresses that something applies in every case. 'Strictly necessary' is a common fixed phrase in this sense.