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View synonyms for

legitimate

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

adjective

  1. according to law; lawful:

    the property's legitimate owner.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

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

    Synonyms:

  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:

  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)

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

    Parliament legitimated his accession to the throne.

    Synonyms:

  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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. tr to make, pronounce, or show to be legitimate
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈپٱ, adverb
  • ˈپ, noun
  • ˌپˈپDz, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • ·i·ٱ· adverb
  • ·i·ٱ·Ա noun
  • ·i·tDz noun
  • l·i·ٱ verb (used with object) delegitimated delegitimating
  • de·i·tDz noun
  • ԴDzl·i·ٱ adjective
  • post·i·tDz noun
  • ܲȴ-·i·ٱ adjective
  • quasi-·i·ٱ· adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of legitimate1

First recorded in 1485–95, legitimate is from the Medieval Latin word ŧپٳܲ (past participle of ŧپ to make lawful). See legitim, -ate 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of legitimate1

C15: from Medieval Latin ŧپٳܲ made legal, from ŧ law
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Or just enjoy watching them do push-ups and chasing each other around. Either way is a legitimate way to enjoy these beautiful little creatures.”

From

If he is successful, it's due to Texas law's broad definition of legitimate "self-defense," which was passed by Republican lawmakers acting on behalf of gun lobbyists.

From

In that case, Louisiana regulators prevented monks from selling handmade caskets without demonstrating any legitimate public interest in health, safety, or consumer protection.

From

But he argues there are real dangers for governments that stifle the voices of those who have legitimate concerns.

From

She said amending the Online Safety Act to restrict AI content "does run the risk of legitimate videos being caught up in it".

From

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legitimacylegitimate government