The word *dikaios* primarily means "righteous" or "just," referring to someone or something that aligns with principles of fairness, correctness, or moral rightness. It can describe people who fulfill their duties to others and to God, or things that conform to proper standards. In the New Testament, it is often used to describe individuals, actions, or qualities that meet God's standard of righteousness, contrasting with terms like "sinners" or "unjust."