What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rightful
Example
The land belongs to the rightful owner. [rightful: adjective]
Example
She is the rightful heir to the throne. [rightful: adjective]
Example
He has a rightful claim to the inheritance. [rightful: adjective]
legitimate
Example
The company has a legitimate license to operate. [legitimate: adjective]
Example
He is a legitimate son of the couple. [legitimate: adjective]
Example
The business is a legitimate source of income. [legitimate: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Legitimate is more commonly used than rightful in everyday language. Legitimate has a wider range of contexts and can be used to describe various situations, while rightful is less common and has a narrower range of usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rightful and legitimate?
Both rightful and legitimate can be used in formal contexts, but legitimate is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
