legitimate

[ adjective noun li-jit-uh-mit; verb li-jit-uh-meyt ]

adjective

1. according to law; lawful:

   the property's legitimate owner.

   Synonyms: licit, legal

   Antonyms: illegitimate

2. in accordance with established rules, principles, or standards.

   Synonyms: sanctioned

3. born in wedlock or of legally married parents:

   legitimate children.

4. in accordance with the laws of reasoning; logically inferable; logical:

   a legitimate conclusion.

   Synonyms: valid

5. resting on or ruling by the principle of hereditary right:

   a legitimate sovereign.

6. not spurious or unjustified; genuine:

   It was a legitimate complaint.

7. of the normal or regular type or kind.
8. Theater. of or relating to professionally produced stage plays, as distinguished from burlesque, vaudeville, television, motion pictures, etc.:

   an actor in the legitimate theater.

verb (used with object)

, le·git·i·mat·ed, le·git·i·mat·ing.

1. to make lawful or legal; pronounce or state as lawful:

   Parliament legitimated his accession to the throne.

   Synonyms: legalize

2. to establish as lawfully born:

   His bastard children were afterward legitimated by law.

3. to show or declare to be legitimate or proper:

   He was under obligation to legitimate his commission.

4. to justify; sanction or authorize:

   His behavior was legitimated by custom.

noun

1. the legitimate, the legitimate theater or drama.
2. a person who is established as being legitimate.

legitimate

adjective

1. born in lawful wedlock; enjoying full filial rights
2. conforming to established standards of usage, behaviour, etc
3. based on correct or acceptable principles of reasoning
4. reasonable, sensible, or valid

   a legitimate question

5. authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law
6. of, relating to, or ruling by hereditary right

   a legitimate monarch

7. of or relating to a body of famous long-established plays as distinct from films, television, vaudeville, etc

   the legitimate theatre

verb

1. tr to make, pronounce, or show to be legitimate

Derived Forms

• leˈgitimately, adverb
• leˈgitimacy, noun
• leˌgitiˈmation, noun

Other Words From

• le·giti·mate·ly adverb
• le·giti·mate·ness noun
• le·giti·mation noun
• dele·giti·mate verb (used with object) delegitimated delegitimating
• dele·giti·mation noun
• nonle·giti·mate adjective
• postle·giti·mation noun
• quasi-le·giti·mate adjective
• quasi-le·giti·mate·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of legitimate¹

First recorded in 1485–95, legitimate is from the Medieval Latin word lēgitimātus (past participle of lēgitimāre to make lawful). See legitim, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of legitimate¹

C15: from Medieval Latin lēgitimātus made legal, from lēx law

Example Sentences

Announcing the review, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said there were legitimate concerns that needed looking at but he also criticised the "toxic nature of the debate", saying it had left PAs feeling demoralised.

From BBC

To be sure, a few nuggets of legitimate science peek out from within the depths of Kennedy’s world view, as is often the case with conspiracists.

From Los Angeles Times

Looking back, Janice said there had been signs the website was not legitimate.

From BBC

X alleges the new law would prompt social media sites to lean toward labeling or removing legitimate election content out of caution.

From Los Angeles Times

"We remain committed to continued reforms and welcome constructive dialogue to address any legitimate concerns fairly and transparently," they added.

From BBC

Related Words

• appropriate
• certain
• consistent
• correct
• fair
• genuine
• justifiable
• lawful
• logical
• natural
• normal
• proper
• real
• reasonable
• reliable
• rightful
• sensible
• statutory
• true
• well-founded