legitimate

/lədʒˈɪtɪmət/

/ɫəˈdʒɪtəmət/

legitimate

of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful

justified or valid according to the commonly accepted norms, practices, or ideological framework

officially authorized according to regulations, or jurisdiction that govern a particular institution, field of activity, or legal matter

synonyms : lawful

based on known statements or events or conditions

synonyms : logical

to legitimate

MAIN VERB

to legally establish the parent-child relationship of a child born to unmarried parents, typically through court orders, or other formal processes

show or affirm to be just and legitimate

to make something lawful or officially recognized by the appropriate legal authorities

antonyms : outlaw

Examples

1. We didn't want to throw the cat among the pigeons, so we decided not to mention the bomb threat until we knew for certain that it was legitimate.

2. Our constitution legitimates the communication rights for indigenous peoples in Mexico.

3. The email is legitimate.

4. These lights are legitimate.