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

Chen concluded not that “fluoridated water is injurious to public health” but that “there is unreasonable risk of such injury,” triggering a legal mandate that the EPA take a closer look.

From Los Angeles Times

Several legal experts and tech industry observers said the path forward for TikTok is still precarious.

From Los Angeles Times

More than 800,000 immigrants from 16 countries currently hold the legal status, which lasts for up to 18 months, before the government must reevaluate whether to renew it with end dates varying by country.

From Salon

“According to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter,” CNN reports, “Scarborough and Brzezinski were credibly concerned that they could face governmental and legal harassment from the incoming Trump administration.”

From Salon

In the settlement agreed in January, when he relinquished his claim, Mr Smith paid £25,000 towards the Ruskin Museum's legal costs.

From BBC

Related Words

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