illegitimacy

American

[il-i-jit-uh-muh-see] / ˌɪl ɪˈdʒɪt ə mə si /

noun

the state or quality of being illegitimate.

illegitimacy Cultural

The condition of being born to unmarried parents. It was once considered a mark of disgrace but is generally more accepted now.

Etymology

Origin of illegitimacy

First recorded in 1670–80; illegitim(ate) + -acy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Brandreth also appreciates quite a few of Milne’s 40 well-made plays, which fashionably skirt around then-trendy issues of authenticity and illegitimacy in the most un-Ibsen-like way possible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

He also insisted that Iran's doctrine was "rooted in our belief in the prohibition and illegitimacy of nuclear weapons".

From BBC • Jun. 19, 2025

"This is a losing proposition all around. The Judiciary will lose much from the constant intimations of its illegitimacy," he wrote.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2025

What do you hope readers learn about illegitimacy?

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2023

“A degradation to illegitimacy and ignorance, to be married to a respectable, intelligent gentleman-farmer!”

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023