legitimate

[ adjective, noun li-jit-uh-mit; verb li-jit-uh-meyt ]
/ adjective, noun lɪˈdʒɪt ə mɪt; verb lɪˈdʒɪt əˌmeɪt /

adjective

verb (used with object), le·git·i·mat·ed, le·git·i·mat·ing.

noun

the legitimate, the legitimate theater or drama.
a person who is established as being legitimate.

Origin of legitimate

First recorded in 1485–95, legitimate is from the Medieval Latin word lēgitimātus (past participle of lēgitimāre to make lawful). See legitim, -ate1

SYNONYMS FOR legitimate

1 legal, licit.
2 sanctioned.
4 valid.

OTHER WORDS FROM legitimate

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH legitimate

legitimate legitimize

Example sentences from the Web for legitimately

British Dictionary definitions for legitimately

legitimate

adjective (lɪˈdʒɪtɪmɪt)

verb (lɪˈdʒɪtɪˌmeɪt)

(tr) to make, pronounce, or show to be legitimate

Derived forms of legitimate

legitimacy or legitimateness, noun legitimately, adverb legitimation, noun

Word Origin for legitimate

C15: from Medieval Latin lēgitimātus made legal, from lēx law