legitimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "legitimate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you wish to describe something as genuine, legitimate, or lawful. Example Sentence: The documents provided by the company were legitimate and up-to-date.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The amounts would need to be proportionate – we mustn't penalise legitimate visa applicants who will struggle to get hold of the money.

The Guardian

Earlier this week, Valls said the removal of a person's nationality "is a legitimate question that arises regarding the consequences to which a person exposes themselves when they decide to attack the nation to which they belong because they were born there or have been accepted there".

The Guardian

The Swiss would have been seen to have a legitimate complaint, the referee would have to give a penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

On these issues in particular, this house has a legitimate right to question the excesses of any government.

The Guardian

Only their most fanatical followers would make any claim to merit on behalf of a winning team who were clearly second-best in everything except the matter of producing a legitimate goal.

The Guardian - Sport

Bin Laden and his senior associates have long struggled to make sure the disparate elements of the group and its various affiliated networks only attack targets they consider as legitimate.

The Guardian

We have women who are killed by their husbands but we don't have any legitimate terror offences... "Yet the amount of money put into negative policing and punitive measures has really soured relations between Muslim community and ramped up the sense of fear and isolation in the community".

The Guardian

He said that representatives of the British special forces had told him: "When a war is not declared, journalists are legitimate targets where they are inconvenient".

The Guardian

"Look at a majority government like that, which would represent the opinions of as many voters as possible, and look at a majority government formed by a single party that wins 35% of the vote, and tell me which is more legitimate".

The Guardian

Related: Would Labour government be legitimate if it had fewer MPs than the Tories?

The Guardian

The build-up to the convention has been overshadowed by the highly controversial "legitimate rape" remarks made by Todd Atkin, a congressman from Missouri, and his subsequent refusal to quit his bid for re-election despite pressure from the party's leadership.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legitimate", ensure the context clearly establishes the standard or authority against which something is being judged as valid or lawful. This adds precision and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "legitimate" in very informal settings where simpler words like "real" or "valid" would be more appropriate. Overusing formal vocabulary can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The word "legitimate" primarily functions as an adjective. It serves to describe or qualify a noun, indicating that the noun is in accordance with the law, established rules, or accepted standards. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its adjectival use, affirming its role in modifying nouns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legitimate" is a grammatically correct and very common adjective used to describe something that is lawful, valid, or authentic. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to qualify nouns and assure that they meet certain established criteria. Predominantly featured in news and media sources, "legitimate" maintains a neutral to formal register, offering writers a reliable way to express validity and conformity across a range of contexts. When opting for synonyms, consider alternatives like "lawful", "valid", or "authentic" to precisely match the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lawful

Focuses specifically on adherence to legal statutes and regulations.

valid

Emphasizes the soundness and defensibility of something, often in a logical or formal sense.

authentic

Highlights the genuineness and originality of something, suggesting it is not fake or imitation.

genuine

Similar to authentic, stresses the real and unadulterated nature of something.

permissible

Indicates that something is allowed or not forbidden, often by rules or laws.

allowable

Synonymous with permissible, but can also imply a degree of tolerance or acceptance.

justifiable

Suggests that something is defensible or excusable, often based on moral or ethical grounds.

defensible

Similar to justifiable, emphasizing the ability to be maintained or upheld against challenge.

warranted

Implies that something is justified or deserved, often due to specific circumstances.

admissible

Typically used in legal contexts to indicate something can be accepted as evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "legitimate" in a sentence?

You can use "legitimate" to describe something that is lawful, authentic, or conforming to accepted standards. For example, "The company provided "legitimate documents" to prove its compliance."

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

"Legitimate" implies conformity to recognized principles or accepted standards, while "legal" specifically refers to compliance with laws. Something can be "legal but not legitimate" if it technically follows the law but violates ethical standards.

What can I say instead of "legitimate"?

You can use alternatives like "valid", "authentic", or "lawful" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "legitimate of"?

No, it's not correct to say "legitimate of". The correct usage is usually "legitimate" as an adjective directly modifying a noun, or in phrases like "legitimate concern" or "legitimate reason".