Legitimate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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legitimate

[lɪˈdʒɪtɪmət ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in a legal or rightful manner

Conforming to the law or to rules. Legitimate businesses pay their taxes on time.

Synonyms

authorized, lawful, legal, valid.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
legitimate	Use when referring to something that is genuine, acceptable, or justifiable according to rules or standards. It can also mean born of parents who are legally married. His business practices are legitimate. She has a legitimate claim to the property.
legal	Used to describe anything related to the law or the legal system. She sought legal advice before making a decision. The contract is legally binding.
lawful	Applies to something that is permitted by law, especially emphasizing the legality rather than moral or ethical aspects. They engaged in lawful protests. Owning this type of weapon is lawful in this state.
valid	Refers to something being sound, acceptable, or officially approved, often in terms of documents or arguments. Her passport is still valid for another year. That is a valid point in the debate.
authorized	Used when referring to permission or approval given by someone with power or authority. Only authorized personnel can enter this area. He was authorized to sign the contract on behalf of the company.

Examples of usage

The company operates in a legitimate manner, following all regulations and laws.
She had legitimate reasons for being late to the meeting.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

genuine or real

Being in accordance with established or accepted rules and standards. A legitimate claim to the throne.

Synonyms

authentic, genuine, real, valid.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
legitimate	Used to describe something lawful, proper, or in accordance with established rules or standards. He has a legitimate claim to the throne. The business is legitimate and follows all regulations.
genuine	Used to describe something or someone that is real, sincere, or not fake. Often used to refer to emotions or intentions. Her smile was genuine and heartfelt. This is a genuine leather jacket.
authentic	Used to describe something that is true, reliable, and genuine, often used for items or experiences that are original or not fake. This is an authentic Picasso painting. The restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine.
valid	Used to describe something logically sound, legally binding, or acceptable within a certain context. Often used for documents, arguments, or reasons. His point in the debate was valid. Your passport is still valid for another year.
real	Used to emphasize the actual existence or truth of something. It can also contrast with something that is fake or imaginary. Are those diamonds real? He finally found real love.

Examples of usage

This document is a legitimate copy of the original.
He has a legitimate right to be concerned about his safety.

^{Context #3 | Adjective}

reasonable and acceptable

Justifiable or reasonable. The criticism is perfectly legitimate.

Synonyms

acceptable, justified, reasonable, valid.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
legitimate	Used when something is lawful or conforms to established rules and standards. His claim to the throne was legitimate The business operates in a legitimate manner
reasonable	Used when something is fair, makes sense, or is within the bounds of common sense. It is reasonable to expect that prices will rise The offer he made was reasonable
valid	Used when something is well-grounded, logically sound, or legally acceptable. That's a valid argument Her passport is still valid
justified	Used when something is shown to be reasonable or has a good reason behind it, often after being questioned. His fear of flying is justified The decision to cancel the event was justified due to the weather
acceptable	Used when something is satisfactory or meets certain standards or criteria. Her behavior at the meeting was acceptable This level of quality is acceptable for our purposes

Examples of usage

It is a legitimate question to ask in this situation.
His concerns are legitimate and should be addressed.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'legitimate'

The word 'legitimate' originated from the Latin word 'legitimatus', past participle of 'legitimare', meaning 'to make lawful'. It entered the English language in the mid-15th century. The concept of legitimacy has been important in various contexts, including law, government, and social relationships.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,649, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3646 hung
3647 capture
3648 illustrate
3649 legitimate
3650 gifts
3651 grains
3652 chose
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