legitimate — conforming to the law or to rules; able to be defended with logic or justification
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: conforming to the law or to rules; able to be defended with logic or justification
Pronunciation (IPA): /lɪˈdʒɪtəmət/
Example Sentences
- His excuse for eating all the cookies was legitimate - he was conducting a 'quality control test'.
- The company's legitimate profits increased after they stopped their illegitimate activities.
- She had a legitimate fear of clowns after watching that horror movie.
legitimate
ADJECTIVE[/lɪˈdʒɪtəmət/]
conforming to the law or to rules; able to be defended with logic or justification
His concern was legitimate — but nobody wanted to hear it at the time.
Is it LEGIT? I ask my MATE — only then do I call it legitimate. (LEGIT + I + MATE → Is it LEGIT? I check with my MATE — if they confirm it, it is legitimate)
Legitimate or illegitimate — never approximate when the truth matters.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'legitimatus,' the past participle of 'legitimare,' meaning to make lawful or legal. Derived from 'legitimus' (lawful, legal), which comes from 'lex' (law) and '-imus' (adjective suffix).
Breakdown
legitim- (from Latin legitimus, lawful) + -ate (verb suffix meaning to make or become) = legitimate
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“His excuse for eating all the cookies was legitimate - he was conducting a 'quality control test'.”
“The company's legitimate profits increased after they stopped their illegitimate activities.”
“She had a legitimate fear of clowns after watching that horror movie.”
“The student's legitimate question about homework was: 'Can my dog really eat it?'”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
Want to master 19,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.