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1. Authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law
   "a legitimate government";
   - lawful, licit, legit [informal]
    
2. In accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles
   "legitimate advertising practices";
   - legit [informal]
    
3. Of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful
    
4. Based on known statements, events or conditions
   "rain was a legitimate expectation, given the time of year";
   - logical

1. Make legal
   - legalize, legalise [Brit], decriminalize, decriminalise [Brit], legitimize, legitimise [Brit], legitimatize, legitimatise [Brit]
    
2. Show or affirm to be just and legitimate
    
3. Make (an illegitimate child) legitimate; declare the legitimacy of (someone)

Derived forms: legitimates, legitimating, legitimated

See also: authorised [Brit], authorized, constituted, established, lawful, lawfully-begotten [archaic], left-handed, legal, morganatic, rightful, true, valid

Type of: allow, alter, change, countenance, justify, let, modify, permit, vindicate

Antonym: criminalise [Brit], illegitimate

Encyclopedia: Legitimate