illegitimate
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for illegitimate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Not legally or officially sanctioned; not proper or authorised.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use illegitimate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
illegitimate claim
illegitimate authority
illegitimate use
Etymology
From Latin illegitimus, formed from in- ("not") plus legitimus ("lawful"), likely via Middle French illegitime.
Full origin of illegitimate →Frequently asked questions
What does “illegitimate” mean?
The word “illegitimate” means not legally or officially sanctioned; not proper or authorised. In plain terms, not legitimate — lacking legal or official standing, or (in older usage) born outside marriage.
How do you pronounce “illegitimate”?
“Illegitimate” is pronounced ih-lih-JIH-tih-muht ([ɪlɨˈd͡ʒɪɾəmɨt] in IPA).
How do you use “illegitimate” in a sentence?
Here is “illegitimate” used in a sentence: “The opposition called the election result illegitimate.”
What is another word for “illegitimate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “illegitimate” include base, baseborn, base born, bastardly, extramarital and misbegotten.
What is the opposite of “illegitimate”?
The opposite of “illegitimate” — its antonyms — is legitimate.
What part of speech is “illegitimate”?
“Illegitimate” is an adjective.
Where does the word “illegitimate” come from?
The word “illegitimate” comes from Latin. From Latin illegitimus, formed from in- ("not") plus legitimus ("lawful"), likely via Middle French illegitime.
Is “illegitimate” a common word?
“Illegitimate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
