Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Conforming to the law; lawful: Something that is "legitimate" is authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with established law.
   • Conforming to recognized standards or principles: It can describe actions or practices that are acceptable according to accepted norms or rules.
   • Genuine or valid; based on logical reasoning: It can refer to conclusions or expectations that are reasonable and based on known facts or conditions.
   • Born of parents legally married to each other; having legal rights of inheritance: This is a specific legal term describing the status of a child.

2. Verb:

   • To make lawful or legitimate: The action of conferring legal status or legitimacy on something or someone.
   • To show or affirm to be just, valid, or reasonable: The act of providing justification or sanction for something.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The court recognized his claim as legitimate. (His claim was in accordance with the law.)
  • She raised a legitimate concern during the meeting. (Her concern was valid and reasonable.)
  • He is the legitimate heir to the estate. (He is the lawful heir, recognized by law.)
  • They only use legitimate business practices. (Their practices conform to accepted standards.)

• Verb:

  • The new law will legitimate the use of certain medical procedures. (The law will make these procedures lawful.)
  • The document was signed to legitimate the child's status. (The document was intended to declare the child's legitimacy.)

Advanced Usage

• "To legitimate a claim": To provide evidence or authority that makes a claim valid or acceptable.

  • The newly discovered evidence helped to legitimate their argument.

• "Legitimate authority": Authority that is rightfully and lawfully held.

  • Citizens are expected to obey legitimate authority.

Variants and Related Words

• Legitimacy (n): The quality or state of being legitimate.

  • The legitimacy of the election results was questioned.

• Legitimation (n): The process of making something legitimate.

  • The legitimation of the government took several years.

• Legitimately (adv): In a legitimate manner.

  • The funds were legitimately acquired.

• Legitimize (v): A common synonym for the verb form "legitimate," meaning to make legitimate.

  • The treaty helped to legitimize the new borders.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Lawful, legal, valid, rightful, genuine, authentic, justified, reasonable.
• Verb: Legalize, validate, authorize, sanction, justify.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Illegitimate, illegal, unlawful, invalid, fraudulent, bogus.
• Verb: Illegitimize, outlaw, ban, prohibit.

Related Phrases

• "A legitimate question": A question that is fair and reasonable to ask.

  • That is a legitimate question that deserves an answer.

• "Legitimate target": In law or conflict, a target whose attack is justified under the rules.

  • The military argued that the facility was a legitimate target.

Adjective

1. authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law
   • a legitimate government
2. in accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles
   • legitimate advertising practices
3. based on known statements or events or conditions
   • rain was a logical expectation, given the time of year
4. of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful

Verb

1. make (an illegitimate child) legitimate; declare the legitimacy of (someone)
   • They legitimized their natural child
2. show or affirm to be just and legitimate
3. make legal
   • Marijuana should be legalized