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legitimate

legitimate

563 4.2
Allowed by law or fair rules
  • adjective
  • /lɪˈdʒɪtɪmət/
: legítimo
  • He's as honest and legitimate a businessman as I've ever met.
  • a legitimate interest
  • a legitimate concern
  • a legitimate government

And some believe that it's legitimate and some don't.

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Examples

  • But I'm here to make you a legitimate offer.

  • That's a legitimate goal, right?

  • Bill, can you just address how legitimate that claim is?

  • If you want the screen size, it is a legitimate option.

  • It's a legitimate career opportunity.

  • Even then, you didn't lose credit when you had a legitimate reason for missing class.

    Academic text (2008)
  • We want to act in a reasoned and legitimate manner.

  • The answer to questions about how to balance civil liberties with legitimate security concerns remains elusive.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The contract was deemed legitimate by the legal team after a thorough review.

  • Many citizens believe that it is important to have a legitimate voice in the democratic process.

Synonyms

appropriate
vslegitimate
937 3.5

Right for a particular situation, person, or purpose

focuses more on legal or rule-based acceptability rather than suitability
proper
vslegitimate
784 2.2

Suitable and correct for a particular situation or use

is concerned with lawful or rule-based justification rather than mere fit
valid
vslegitimate
341 3.1

Accepted by law, by an official, or for good reason

also includes acceptability by informal rules or reasonable judgment
reasonable
vslegitimate
179 2.2

A moderate amount or size that is not extreme

relates instead to being lawful or justified by rules or standards
justified
vslegitimate
175 4.1

Having a good reason for an action or feeling

adds legal or formal acceptability beyond merely having a reason
legit
vslegitimate
  • Informal
126 7.7

Real and legal, for example a job or website

is the standard term covering formal lawfulness and justified acceptability
rightful
vslegitimate
81 4.1

Having a legal or moral claim to something

is broader, covering general lawfulness or acceptability beyond entitlement
lawful
vslegitimate
  • Formal
73 2.9

Allowed by the law

is broader, also meaning acceptable by rules or reasonable standards
justifiable
vslegitimate
36 5.1

Fair or acceptable because of the situation

leans more toward legal or rule-based acceptability rather than only reason
allowable
vslegitimate
13 2.7

Rules or laws permit it

adds the sense of being justified or broadly acceptable, not only allowed
licit
vslegitimate
  • Formal
2 7.7

Something the law or rules allow

is wider, covering general acceptability beyond strict legal permission
warrantable
vslegitimate
1 7.2

Supported by law or by good reason

is similar but focuses more on general lawful or accepted status

Antonyms

218 3.2

Not good enough or not allowed by rules

illegitimate
  • Formal
33 6.1

Not allowed by law

How Legitimate

authorized
123 3.6
lawful
  • Formal
73 2.9
legitimate
563 4.2
questionable
162 3.9
illegal
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

legitimate positive
legit positive

Etymology

Legitimate comes from a root that means 'law' and is the same root you see in legal. So something legitimate is allowed by the law or seen as reasonable and acceptable.