legitimate

/lədʒˈɪtəmət/ · 4 syllables

Meaning

adjective

1. of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful
2. based on known statements or events or conditions
   “rain was a logical expectation, given the time of year”
3. in accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles
   “legitimate advertising practices”
4. authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law
   “a legitimate government”

verb

1. make legal
   “Marijuana should be legalized”
2. show or affirm to be just and legitimate
3. make (an illegitimate child) legitimate; declare the legitimacy of (someone)
   “They legitimized their natural child”

Synonyms for legitimate

• lawfully-begotten
• morganatic
• true
• logical
• valid
• established
• lawful
• licit
• legal
• legalize
• legalise
• decriminalize
• decriminalise
• legitimize
• legitimise
• legitimatize
• legitimatise

Antonyms of legitimate

• illegitimate