legitimate

Definition of legitimate

Etymology

From Late Latin legitimatus, past participle of legitimare ‘to make legal'.

Pronunciation 1

• IPA: /ləˈʤɪtɪmət/

Adjective

legitimate (comparative more legitimate, superlative most legitimate)

1. Lawfully begotten; born to married people.
2. (obsolete) Authorized; real, genuine.
3. Accordant with law or with established legal forms and requirements; lawful.
4. Conforming to known principles, or accepted rules; valid.

Synonyms

• lawful

Antonyms

• illegitimate

Pronunciation 2

• IPA: /ləˈʤɪtɪmeɪt/

Verb

to legitimate (third-person singular simple present legitimates, present participle legitimating, simple past and past participle legitimated)

1. To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; especially, to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means.

Synonyms

• legitimize

Derived terms

• delegitimate