- 1for which there is a fair and acceptable reason synonym justifiable, valid a legitimate grievance It seemed like a perfectly legitimate question. Politicians are legitimate targets for satire.
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- 2allowed and acceptable according to the law synonym legal the legitimate government of the country Is his business strictly legitimate? opposite illegitimate
- 3(of a child) born when its parents are legally married to each other opposite illegitimate
NAmE//lɪˈdʒɪt̮əməsi//
noun [uncountable] the dubious legitimacy of her argument I intend to challenge the legitimacy of his claim. adverb She can now legitimately claim to be the best in the world.See legitimate in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: legitimate