illegitimate

[il-i-jit-uh-mit, il-i-jit-uh-meyt]

adjective

1. born of parents who are not married to each other; born out of wedlock.

   an illegitimate child.

2. not legitimate; not sanctioned by law or custom.

3. unlawful; illegal.

   an illegitimate action.

4. irregular; not in good usage.

5. Logic.,  not in accordance with the principles of valid inference.

6. Obsolete.,  (formerly, in London)

   1. of or relating to stage plays in which musical numbers were inserted because of laws that gave only a few theaters the exclusive right to produce straight dramas.

   2. acting in or producing such productions.

noun

1. a person recognized or looked upon as illegitimate.

verb (used with object)

illegitimated, illegitimating 

1. to declare illegitimate.

illegitimate

/ ˌɪlɪˈdʒɪtɪmɪt /

adjective

1. born of parents who were not married to each other at the time of birth; bastard

2. forbidden by law; illegal; unlawful

3. contrary to logic; incorrectly reasoned

noun

1. an illegitimate person; bastard

Other Word Forms

• illegitimately adverb
• illegitimacy noun
• illegitimateness noun
• illegitimation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of illegitimate¹

First recorded in 1530–40; il- ² + legitimate

Synonym Study

See illegal.

Example Sentences

Other drama in the run-up to the final round included two judges quitting this week, with one alleging the contest was rigged by a "secret and illegitimate vote" held without the official jury.

Read more on Barron's

In response, a spokesman said that the West's "anti-Russian sanctions" were "illegitimate" and "undermine established principles of global commerce".

Read more on BBC

The philosopher’s task is therefore not to solve philosophical problems but to dissolve them, showing why the questions they pose are illegitimate.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But Caracas claims it is really a ploy to overthrow its leftist president Maduro, who the United States considers an illegitimate leader and a drug lord -- a charge that he denies.

Read more on Barron's

Louis likens himself to Pierre, the main protagonist in War & Peace, who represents the "everyman" as the illegitimate son of a rich aristocrat who inherits a huge fortune, catapulting him into Russian high society.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• illegal 
• illicit 
• improper 
• invalid 
• unauthorized 
• unconstitutional 
• unlawful