Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » legitimate

legitimate

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of legitimate is within the rules, correct or accepted as proper. It also refers to a person whose parents are married when he or she is born.

(adjective)

An example of a legitimate idea is one that is accepted and that scientists can prove.
An example of a legitimate child is someone born to married parents.

See legitimate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

conceived or born of parents legally married to each other
1. sanctioned by law or custom; lawful: a legitimate claim
2. conforming to or abiding by the law
ruling by the rights of heredity: a legitimate king
1. reasonable; logically correct: a legitimate inference
2. justifiable or justified
conforming to or in accordance with established rules, standards, principles
Theater designating or of professionally produced stage plays, as distinguished from films, vaudeville, etc.

Origin: ML legitimatus, pp. of legitimare, to make lawful < L legitimus, lawful < lex: see legal

transitive verb legitimated, legitimating

legitimize (esp. sense )

Related Forms:

legitimately adverb
legitimation noun

See legitimate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Being in compliance with the law; lawful: a legitimate business.
Being in accordance with established or accepted patterns and standards: legitimate advertising practices.
Based on logical reasoning; reasonable: a legitimate solution to the problem.
Authentic; genuine: a legitimate complaint.
Born of legally married parents: legitimate issue.
Of, relating to, or ruling by hereditary right: a legitimate monarch.
Of or relating to drama of high professional quality that excludes burlesque, vaudeville, and some forms of musical comedy: the legitimate theater.