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Legitimate Definition & Meaning

legitimate
adjective
  1. of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful
  2. based on known statements or events or conditions; "rain was a logical expectation, given the time of year"
  3. in accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles; "legitimate advertising practices"
  4. authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law; "a legitimate government"
verb
  1. make legal; "Marijuana should be legalized"
  2. show or affirm to be just and legitimate
  3. make (an illegitimate child) legitimate; declare the legitimacy of (someone); "They legitimized their natural child"

"Legitimate" in song lyrics

See how legitimate is used in real songs:

  • "But it's big! Big and legitimate"
    Aesop Rock — Winners Take All
  • "Made you go batty, spreading spawn legitimate"
    Aesop Rock — The Mayor and the Crook
  • "I stood back a bit, take punchlines out raps been more legitimate"
    Dilated Peoples — Night Life

Usage tips for "legitimate"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "legitimate" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for legitimate to find words that pair well.

Use "legitimate" in a verse

Now that you know what "legitimate" means, try using it in your own lyrics:

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Frequently asked questions

What does legitimate mean?
of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful based on known statements or events or conditions; "rain was a logical expectation, given the time of year" in accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles; "legitimate advertising practices" authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law; "a legitimate government" make legal; "Marijuana should be legalized" show or affirm to be just and legitimate make (an illegitimate child) legitimate
What part of speech is legitimate?
Legitimate is an adjective and a verb.
How many definitions does legitimate have?
Legitimate has 7 definitions across 2 parts of speech (adjective, verb).

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