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. Based on known statements, events or conditions
   "rain was a legitimate expectation, given the time of year";
   - logical
    
4. Of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful
   "Their marriage was legitimate in the eyes of the law"

1. Make legal
   "The new law legitimated the practice";
   - legalize, legalise [Brit], decriminalize, decriminalise [Brit], legitimize, legitimise [Brit], legitimatize, legitimatise [Brit]
    
2. Show or affirm to be just and legitimate
   "The court's decision legitimated the government's actions"
    
3. Make (an illegitimate child) legitimate; declare the legitimacy of (someone)
   "The king legitimated his illegitimate son"

Derived forms: legitimated, legitimates, legitimating

See also: authorised [Brit], authoritative, 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: illegitimate

Encyclopedia: Legitimate