Legitimate

Definition

Conforming to the law or rules; being exactly as purposed; neither spurious nor false.

Parts of Speech

• Adjective
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ləˈdʒɪtɪmət/
• Respelling: luh-JIT-uh-mut (with "luh" as in "sofa," "JIT" as in "sit," "uh" as in "sofa," and "mut" as in "nut")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ləˈdʒɪtɪmət/
• Respelling: luh-JIT-uh-mit (with "luh" as in "sofa," "JIT" as in "sit," "uh" as in "sofa," and "mit" as in "sit")

In both dialects, "legitimate" places the primary stress on the second syllable, "JIT." The pronunciation is similar across both American and British English, with a slight difference in the final syllable, focusing on the clear articulation of "luh-JIT-uh-mut" (American) and "luh-JIT-uh-mit" (British).

Etymology

The term "legitimate" is derived from the Latin word "lēgitimātus", the past participle of "lēgitimāre", which means "to make legal". It originates from "lēgitimus" meaning "lawful", which in turn is derived from "lēx" for "law".

Derivatives

• Legitimately
• Legitimacy
• Legitimation
• Legitimatize
• Legitimizer

Synonyms

• Lawful
• Valid
• Authentic

Antonyms

• Illegitimate
• Unlawful
• Fraudulent

Usage

Legitimate is often used to describe actions, processes, or entities that conform to laws, rules, or accepted standards. It can also refer to something that is genuine or justifiable.

Related Terms

• Legal: Relating to the law.
• Legitimacy: The quality of being legitimate.
• Authentic: Genuine or real.

Detailed Definition

Adjective

• Legitimate (Adjective): Conforming to the law or to rules.
  • Example: "The business operates in a legitimate manner, complying with all regulations."

• Legitimate (Adjective): Able to be defended with logic or justification; valid.
  • Example: "She had a legitimate reason for her absence."

• Legitimate (Adjective): Born of parents lawfully married to each other.
  • Example: "He is the legitimate heir to the throne."

Verb

• Legitimate (Verb): To make lawful or justify.
  • Example: "The government moved to legitimate the new regulations."

• Legitimate (Verb): To give legal status or recognition to.
  • Example: "The organization sought to legitimate its operations through official channels."