Legitimate

Legitimate signifies something that conforms to the law or to accepted rules or standards. It implies validity, lawfulness, and genuineness. A Legitimate claim, for instance, is one that is based on acceptable evidence and sound reasoning. A Legitimate government holds power in accordance with established legal principles and enjoys the consent of the governed. The term can also denote something born in wedlock, and therefore having full rights under the law. Essentially, 'legitimate' speaks to the rightfulness and acceptability of something according to a recognized authority or system.

Legitimate meaning with examples

• The company's profits were deemed Legitimate after an independent audit confirmed that all financial transactions adhered to legal and ethical guidelines, ensuring transparency and accountability in their business operations.
• Having presented all required documents and successfully passed the security checks, Sarah's request for a visa was considered Legitimate, allowing her to travel internationally for her studies.
• After a thorough investigation of the evidence presented in court, the judge ruled that the self-defense claim was Legitimate given the imminent threat the defendant faced at the time of the incident.
• Despite facing opposition from some community members, the council's decision to build a new park was Legitimate, as it followed established procedures and addressed a pressing need for green spaces.