Definitions
- Referring to the process of making something official or legally recognized. - Describing the act of giving structure or organization to a previously informal or unstructured situation. - Talking about the act of making something conform to established rules, standards, or procedures.
- Referring to the act of making something acceptable or valid in the eyes of others. - Describing the process of giving authority or credibility to something that was previously considered questionable or illegitimate. - Talking about the act of making something lawful or conforming to established norms or standards.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words involve making something more official or acceptable.
- 2Both words imply a process of establishing legitimacy or credibility.
- 3Both words can be used in legal or business contexts.
What is the difference?
- 1Focus: Formalize emphasizes the process of giving structure or organization to something, while legitimize focuses on making something acceptable or valid in the eyes of others.
- 2Purpose: Formalize is often used to establish rules or procedures, while legitimize is used to give authority or credibility to something that was previously considered questionable or illegitimate.
- 3Connotation: Formalize is neutral and can be used in various contexts, while legitimize can have a negative connotation if used to describe making something unethical or illegal appear legitimate.
- 4Usage: Formalize is more commonly used in business or organizational contexts, while legitimize is more commonly used in legal or political contexts.
Remember this!
Formalize and legitimize are synonyms that both refer to the process of making something more official or acceptable. However, formalize emphasizes the process of giving structure or organization to something, while legitimize focuses on making something acceptable or valid in the eyes of others. Formalize is more commonly used in business or organizational contexts, while legitimize is more commonly used in legal or political contexts.
