Definition of "legitimate" in English

adjective

1. In accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements.

2. Conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards; valid.

   • legitimate reasoning; a legitimate standard or method

3. Authentic, real, genuine.

   • legitimate poems of Chaucer; legitimate inscriptions

4. Marital.

5. Relating to hereditary rights.

6. Belonging or relating to the legitimate theater.

noun

1. A person born to a legally married couple.

verb

1. (transitive) To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; especially, to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means.