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Legalese: meaning, definitions and examples

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legalese

 

[ ˌliːɡəˈliːz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal language

Legalese refers to the formal and technical language used in legal documents and legislation. It often includes complex sentences, jargon, and a structure that can be difficult for laypersons to understand. This specialized language is employed to ensure precision and specificity in legal matters, but it can also lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Legalese can often make legal documents lengthy and daunting, which is why there is an ongoing movement towards plain language in legal writing.

Synonyms

juridical language, legal jargon, legal terminology

Examples of usage

  • The contract was filled with legalese, making it hard to read.
  • Judges often have to decode legalese during trials.
  • Legalese can obscure the true meaning of legal rights.

Translations

Translations of the word "legalese" in other languages:

🇵🇹 juridiquês

🇮🇳 कानूनी भाषा

🇩🇪 Juristensprache

🇮🇩 bahasa hukum

🇺🇦 юридична мова

🇵🇱 język prawniczy

🇯🇵 法律用語

🇫🇷 langage juridique

🇪🇸 lenguaje jurídico

🇹🇷 hukuk dili

🇰🇷 법률 언어

🇸🇦 لغة قانونية

🇨🇿 právnický jazyk

🇸🇰 právnický jazyk

🇨🇳 法律语言

🇸🇮 pravni jezik

🇮🇸 lögfræðilegt mál

🇰🇿 заң тілі

🇬🇪 იურიდიული ენა

🇦🇿 hüquq dili

🇲🇽 lenguaje jurídico

Etymology

The term 'legalese' was coined in the early 1960s and combines the word 'legal' with a suffix '-ese' that indicates a language or dialect. The '-ese' suffix is often used in English to denote a specific type of language or jargon associated with a particular field, such as 'journalese' for journalism or 'technese' for technology. Legalese emerged as a response to the increasing complexity of legal matters and the necessity for precise language to avoid ambiguity in legal contexts. Originally, legal documents were written in Latin, but the switch to English saw the development of a unique vernacular filled with technical terms. Over time, legalese has been criticized for being unnecessarily convoluted, prompting calls for simplification and the use of plain language in legal writing.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,588, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.