# legally

Pronunciation: US say "LEE-guh-lee" /ˈliːɡəli/; UK

## Adverb

1. In a way that the law permits; without breaking the law.
   - Simple: In a way that is allowed by the law.
   - _Residents can legally keep up to four chickens in their backyards._
   - _The documents were obtained legally, through a public records request._
2. From the point of view of the law.
   - Simple: When you look at something the way the law does.
   - _Legally, the landlord can't enter your apartment without notice, but many do anyway._
   - _The twins are legally adults now, though their parents still pay for everything._

## Origin

Formed from legal + the suffix -ly.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/legally (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).