What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
legitimacy
Example
The legitimacy of the election results was questioned by many people. [legitimacy: noun]
Example
The new government was struggling to establish its legitimacy in the eyes of the public. [legitimacy: noun]
legality
Example
The legality of the company's actions was under investigation by the authorities. [legality: noun]
Example
The lawyer advised his client on the legality of the contract. [legality: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Legality is more commonly used than legitimacy in everyday language, especially in legal and political contexts. Legitimacy is less common and tends to be used in more specialized or academic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between legitimacy and legality?
Legality is generally more formal than legitimacy, as it is associated with legal and official language. However, both words can be used in formal and informal contexts depending on the situation.
