legitimate Definition
- 1in accordance with the law or rules; lawful
- 2able to be defended with logic or justification; valid
Using legitimate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "legitimate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The company has a legitimate claim against the insurance provider.
Example
She is a legitimate heir to the throne.
Example
The government has the legitimate authority to regulate trade.
legitimate Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for legitimate
Antonyms for legitimate
Phrases with legitimate
a child born to parents who are legally married to each other
Example
He was recognized as the legitimate child of the king.
a legal interest that is recognized and protected by law
Example
The company has a legitimate interest in protecting its intellectual property.
legitimate concerns
concerns that are reasonable, justified, and based on facts
Example
The residents have legitimate concerns about the safety of the new construction project.
Origins of legitimate
from Latin 'legitimatus', past participle of 'legitimare', meaning 'to make lawful'
Summary: legitimate in Brief
The term 'legitimate' [ləˈdʒɪtəmət] refers to something that is in accordance with the law or rules, or able to be defended with logic or justification. It can be used to describe claims, heirs, or authority, as in 'The company has a legitimate claim against the insurance provider.' 'Legitimate' extends into phrases like 'legitimate child,' and 'legitimate concerns,' denoting legal interests and reasonable worries.
