legit

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "legit" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe something that is genuine, legitimate, or authentic. For example, "This review is 100% legit".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The slightly more legit option, called Lambada, did underwhelming business but still fared much better than The Forbidden Dance (which was originally called The Forbidden Dance is Lambada, but after legal action from the Lambada film-makers, the word was removed).

The Guardian - Film

However, Turner's appointment is a sign that 65twenty, the publisher of The Lad Bible and its stablemate The Sport Bible, is trying to move away from its university campus roots and get more legit and mainstream.

The Guardian

But unofficially, it admits that tolerating piracy of its products has given it huge market share and will boost revenues in the long term, because users stick with Microsoft's products when they go legit.

The Economist

Soon, however, it may be easier to go legit.

The Economist

The add-on also tells a user if a website's encryption keys are not up to snuff.The EFF's approach has much in common with the use of certificate notaries, servers that a browser (with the appropriate third-party plug-in) may consult to verify whether a website's security certificate is legit.

The Economist

IT'S a signal of how much the once-fringe liberal blogs have gone legit that Bill Clinton, the former president of the United States, happily agreed to speak at the first night of the annual Netroots Nation convention.

The Economist

The bank believes that by making politicians concerned about improving their country's position in the league, it is slowly helping to make it possible for informal businesses to go legit, thereby giving governments more scope to raise revenues.The state of Lagos (in which Lagos city is situated) has been improving its tax collection.

The Economist

Making it legit Rushing backwards Reprints Related items America and Israel: It's the settlements, stupidMay 15th 2003 The Middle East road map: With just a few obstructionsMay 15th 2003Israeli intelligence officials gave warning that the wave was not over.

The Economist

Making it legit Rushing backwards Reprints Related items Iraq and the UN: Making it legitMay 22nd 2003 Baghdad's Shia militia: The people who now run the slumsMay 22nd 2003 Iraq's lost antiquities: Who's to blame?May 22nd 2003"We waited 35 years for freedom, but now we are sad," says an accountant, whose life-savings were lifted by bank-robbers.

The Economist

For now, the sponsored ads at the top of a Google search page for "Rosetta Stone" are all for pages where you can buy legit RS products.

The Economist

"Is he teasing me or is that legit?", wondered a flustered Mr Blagojevich.It is easy to poke fun at governors.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "legit" in informal settings where authenticity or validity needs to be emphasized quickly and casually. Be mindful of your audience, as its informality might not be suitable for formal or professional communication.

Common error

Avoid using "legit" in formal writing. Opt for more appropriate synonyms like "legitimate", "valid", or "authentic" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "legit" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate authenticity, legality, or genuineness. As Ludwig AI explains, it's used to describe something as real or valid. For example, "Is that legit?".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

31%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "legit" is an informal adjective that means legitimate, genuine, or valid. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable word in written English. It's very common in informal contexts, especially in news and media, but should be used cautiously in formal writing, where alternatives like "legitimate", "authentic", or "valid" are more appropriate. When using "legit", ensure the context aligns with its casual tone to maintain clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legitimate

The formal version of "legit", implying compliance with the law or established norms.

genuine

Emphasizes the realness and lack of pretense, similar to "legit" in informal contexts.

authentic

Focuses on the genuineness and originality of something, differing from "legit" which can also imply legality.

valid

Highlights the correctness and acceptability according to rules or standards, a more formal synonym.

for real

Emphasizes the truthfulness of a statement or situation, differing slightly from "legit"'s broader applications.

real

Stresses the truth and actuality of something, a broader term than "legit".

above board

Suggests honesty and transparency, implying that something is done openly and without deception.

bona fide

A more formal term for genuine and authentic, often used in legal or business contexts.

official

Implies authorization and endorsement by an authority, unlike the informal "legit".

kosher

Slang, suggesting something is acceptable or in compliance, similar to the informal usage of "legit".

FAQs

How can I use "legit" in a sentence?

You can use "legit" to describe something genuine or authentic, as in "This review is 100% legit". It can also mean something is legally valid.

What can I say instead of "legit"?

You can use alternatives like "authentic", "genuine", or "valid" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "legit" in formal writing?

No, "legit" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, use synonyms like "legitimate" or "official".

What's the difference between "legit" and "legitimate"?

"Legit" is an informal shortening of "legitimate". "Legitimate" is more suitable for formal contexts, while "legit" is used in casual conversation.