Origin: Latin suffix -ate
Legitimate has 10 different meanings across 2 categories:
A person born to a legally married couple.
"The judge ruled that the child was legitimate because his parents were legally married at the time of his birth."
In plain English: A legitimate noun is not really used because this word usually describes actions, objects, or people as being real and proper rather than fake or wrong.
"The protest was organized by an independent group with no legitimate standing in the government."
make legal
"Marijuana should be legalized"
show or affirm to be just and legitimate
"The judge ruled that the lawyer had legitimately defended his client's right to a fair trial."
make (an illegitimate child) legitimate; declare the legitimacy of (someone)
"They legitimized their natural child"
To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; especially, to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means.
"The court ruled that adopting the child was the only way to legitimately recognize her as their own heir under inheritance laws."
In plain English: To legitimize something is to make it officially recognized as real and valid by giving it proper authority or approval.
"He legitimately inherited the family business from his father."
of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful
"The king issued a decree confirming that his second wife's children were legitimate heirs to the throne."
based on known statements or events or conditions
"rain was a logical expectation, given the time of year"
in accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles
"legitimate advertising practices"
authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law
"a legitimate government"
In accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements.
"The court ruled that the marriage was legitimate because it followed all required legal procedures."
In plain English: Legitimate means something is real, legal, and officially allowed by the rules.
"The police officer stopped to check if my driver's license was legitimate."
Usage: Use "legitimate" as an adjective to describe actions that comply with laws or rules rather than informal agreements. It is often confused with "legal," but while all legitimate things are lawful, not everything legal is necessarily considered proper by social standards.
The word legitimate comes from the Medieval Latin term lēgitimātus, which meant "made legal" or "lawfully begotten." It entered English through Middle English to describe anything that is in line with the law.