legitimate
6 synonyms and 1 antonyms for legitimate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Allowed by, or in agreement with, the law.
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 legitimate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin legitimatus, "made lawful", from Latin legitimus ("lawful"), itself from lex, "law". It originally described children "lawfully begotten" — that is, born to a married couple.
Full origin of legitimate →Frequently asked questions
What does “legitimate” mean?
The word “legitimate” means allowed by, or in agreement with, the law. In plain terms, legitimate means either lawful/official, or reasonable and justified.
How do you pronounce “legitimate”?
“Legitimate” is pronounced lih-JIHT-ih-muht (/lɪˈd͡ʒɪt.ɪ.mət/ in IPA).
How do you use “legitimate” in a sentence?
Here is “legitimate” used in a sentence: “The company operates a legitimate import business.”
What is the opposite of “legitimate”?
The opposite of “legitimate” — its antonyms — is illegitimate.
What part of speech is “legitimate”?
Depending on how it is used, “legitimate” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “legitimate” come from?
The word “legitimate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin legitimatus, "made lawful", from Latin legitimus ("lawful"), itself from lex, "law". It originally described children "lawfully begotten" — that is, born to a married couple.
Is “legitimate” a common word?
“Legitimate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “legitimate” have?
“Legitimate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: allowed by, or in agreement with, the law.
What is the difference between 'legitimate' and 'legal'?
'Legal' means simply allowed by law. 'Legitimate' also means allowed by or in agreement with the law, but it carries an extra sense of being reasonable, valid, and properly justified. Something can be legal yet still feel questionable, whereas 'legitimate' implies genuine and fair as well.
What is the difference between 'legitimate' and 'valid'?
'Valid' means sound, well-founded, or logically acceptable, as in a valid argument. 'Legitimate' shares this sense of being reasonable and based on sound logic or accepted standards, but it also carries the meaning of being lawful. A concern can be both valid and legitimate.
Can 'legitimate' be used as a verb?
Yes. Pronounced slightly differently, 'legitimate' can act as a verb meaning to make something lawful or justified, similar to 'legitimize'. More often, though, the related verb 'legitimize' is used for this purpose while 'legitimate' serves as the adjective.
What is a 'legitimate reason' or 'legitimate concern'?
These phrases use the second sense of the word: reasonable, valid, or based on sound logic and accepted standards. A legitimate reason is a genuine, justifiable one rather than an excuse, and a legitimate concern is a well-founded worry.