legitimate
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of LEGITIMATE
1
a
:
allowed according to rules or laws
-
a legitimate [=legal, lawful] heir/government/business
-
legitimate means for achieving success
-
the legitimate use of firearms
b
:
real, accepted, or official
-
It's not clear that the letter is legitimate [=genuine]; it may be a forgery.
2
[more legitimate; most legitimate]
:
fair or reasonable
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We think her concern/excuse is legitimate. = We think she has a legitimate concern/excuse.
-
There's no legitimate reason for prescribing this medication to a child.
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His claim is legitimate.
3
-
Many question the legitimacy of the law.
— legitimately
adverb-
We earned the money legitimately. [=legally]
-
He can legitimately [=rightfully] claim to be the best athlete in his class.
legitimates;
legitimated;
legitimating
legitimates;
legitimated;
legitimating
Britannica Dictionary definition of LEGITIMATE
[+ object]
US
:
to make (something or someone) legitimate: such as
a
:
to make (something) real, accepted, or official
-
slang words legitimated by usage
b
:
to show that (something or someone) is fair or reasonable
-
Her tendency to be secretive only serves to legitimate their suspicions.
