legitimate

Plurallegitimates

Formslegitimates, legitimating, legitimated

1. 1
   adjective

   Real and not fake.

   Like a real diamond instead of a glass copy.

   The painting turned out to be a legitimate Picasso, not a copy.

   Collectors check whether an antique is legitimate before buying.

   Similarauthentic, genuine, real

   Oppositefalse, illegitimate

   Note
2. 2
   adjective

   Following the accepted rules, so it is correct and proper.

   Like a move that follows the rules of a game.

   She made a legitimate point during the debate.

   That is a legitimate way to solve the problem.

   Similarvalid, legal, fair, reasonable, proper

   Oppositeinvalid, illegitimate, unfounded, unjustified

3. 3
   adjective

   Allowed by the law and done in a legal way.

   Like having a real ticket that lets you into the show.

   The company runs a legitimate business and pays all its taxes.

   The police checked that the documents were legitimate.

   Similarlegal, lawful

   Oppositeillegitimate

   Note
4. 4
   adjective

   Born to parents who are married to each other.

   Only a legitimate child could inherit the family land back then.

   The court declared the baby legitimate after the marriage.

   Similarrightful

   Oppositeillegitimate

   Note
5. 5
   adjective

   Joined together as husband and wife under the law.

   Only his legitimate wife could claim the pension.

   She was recognized as his legitimate spouse after the ceremony.

   Similarrightful

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountable

   A child born to parents who are married to each other.

   Only a legitimate could inherit the title in those days.

   The lawyer argued that the boy was a legitimate.

   Note
7. 7
   verbtransitive

   To make something lawful, or to give a child full legal rights.

   Like stamping a paper to make it official.

   The new law helped legitimate their business.

   His parents' marriage legitimated him.

   Similarlegitimize, legalize, validate, sanction

   Oppositeinvalidate, outlaw

   Note
8. 8
   adjective

   Relating to plays performed live by actors on a stage, not movies or musicals.

   She started her career on the legitimate stage before moving to film.

   He preferred legitimate plays to big musicals.

   Similarstraight

   Note
9. 9
   adjective

   Having a rightful claim passed down through a family, such as to a throne or title.

   He was the legitimate heir to the throne.

   She had a legitimate claim to her grandfather's title.

   Similarrightful, lawful, true, legal

   Oppositeillegitimate

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