legal

[ lee-guhl ]

adjective

1. permitted by law; lawful:

   Such acts are not legal.

2. of or relating to law; connected with the law or its administration:

   the legal profession.

3. appointed, established, or authorized by law; deriving authority from law.

   Synonyms: sanctioned, legitimate, licit

4. recognized by law rather than by equity.
5. of, relating to, or characteristic of the profession of law or of lawyers:

   a legal mind.

6. Theology.
   1. of or relating to the Mosaic Law.
   2. of or relating to the doctrine that salvation is gained by good works rather than through free grace.

noun

1. a person who acts in a legal manner or with legal authority.
2. Usually legals. a foreigner who has entered or resides in a country legally.
3. a person whose status is protected by law.
4. a fish or game animal, within specified size or weight limitations, that the law allows to be caught and kept during an appropriate season.
5. a foreigner who conducts espionage against a host country while working there in a legitimate capacity, often in the diplomatic service.
6. legals, authorized investments that may be made by fiduciaries, as savings banks or trustees.

legal

/ ˈliːɡəl /

adjective

1. established by or founded upon law; lawful
2. of or relating to law
3. recognized, enforceable, or having a remedy at law rather than in equity
4. relating to or characteristic of the profession of law

Derived Forms

• ˈlegally, adverb

Other Words From

• legal·ly adverb
• post·legal adjective
• pre·legal adjective
• pseudo·legal adjective
• quasi-legal adjective
• quasi-legal·ly adverb
• un·legal adjective
• un·legal·ly adverb
• un·legal·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of legal¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin lēgālis “of the law,” equivalent to lēg- (stem of lēx ) “law” + -ālis adjective suffix; -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of legal¹

C16: from Latin lēgālis, from lēx law

Example Sentences

Despite that legal history, Medicaid work requirements remain a beloved hobby horse of conservatives.

From Los Angeles Times

The OSA demands tech firms take more responsibility for the content on their platforms to protect children from some legal but harmful material.

From BBC

If it proceeds, the legal action would be the first of its kind brought against the pharmaceutical multinational in the UK.

From BBC

In the past few years, a number of celebrities have run into legal trouble for promoting crypto to followers without disclosing that they had vested interests.

From BBC

“The people deeply respect the office of the president, are mindful of the demands and obligations of the presidency, and acknowledge that defendant’s inauguration will raise unprecedented legal questions,” Bragg wrote.

From Salon

Related Words

• constitutional
• contractual
• fair
• juridical
• lawful
• legitimate
• proper
• statutory
• valid