illegitimacy

American  

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

noun

plural

illegitimacies

1. the state or quality of being illegitimate.

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illegitimacy Cultural  

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

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Etymology

Origin of illegitimacy

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

Example Sentences

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

What do you hope readers learn about illegitimacy?

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 16, 2023

A military commission examining the practice in 2005 concluded that it bordered on illegality and illegitimacy.

From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2023

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

From "Emma" by Jane Austen