legal

[lee-guhl]

adjective

1. permitted by law; lawful.

   Such acts are not legal.

2. of or relating to law; connected with the law or its administration.

   the legal profession.

3. appointed, established, or authorized by law; deriving authority from law.

   Synonyms: sanctioned, legitimate, licit

4. recognized by law rather than by equity.

5. of, relating to, or characteristic of the profession of law or of lawyers.

   a legal mind.

6. Theology.

   1. of or relating to the Mosaic Law.

   2. of or relating to the doctrine that salvation is gained by good works rather than through free grace.

noun

1. a person who acts in a legal manner or with legal authority.

2. Usually legals a foreigner who has entered or resides in a country legally.

3. a person whose status is protected by law.

4. a fish or game animal, within specified size or weight limitations, that the law allows to be caught and kept during an appropriate season.

5. a foreigner who conducts espionage against a host country while working there in a legitimate capacity, often in the diplomatic service.

6. legals, authorized investments that may be made by fiduciaries, as savings banks or trustees.

legal

/ ˈliːɡəl /

adjective

1. established by or founded upon law; lawful

2. of or relating to law

3. recognized, enforceable, or having a remedy at law rather than in equity

4. relating to or characteristic of the profession of law

Other Word Forms

• legally adverb
• postlegal adjective
• prelegal adjective
• pseudolegal adjective
• quasi-legal adjective
• quasi-legally adverb
• unlegal adjective
• unlegally adverb
• unlegalness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of legal¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin lēgālis “of the law,” equivalent to lēg- (stem of lēx ) “law” + -ālis adjective suffix; -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of legal¹

C16: from Latin lēgālis, from lēx law

Example Sentences

The group are now seeking legal advice, as they fear the impact that leaving something like this could have.

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At a Helsinki day centre called "Toivon talo", or "House of Hope", where undocumented non-European migrants can get legal, social and medical help, people chat while enjoying the free lunch served most days.

Read more on Barron's

Gotham Cannabis Dispensary is exactly what it claims to be — a legal spot with high-quality products, expert guidance, and somehow, so much more.

Read more on Salon

ABC News reported that the new information “suggested the administration was preparing for sustained operations against drug cartels and that it believed the military strikes could withstand potential legal challenges.”

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Relocation consultants or attorneys can also help anticipate and address legal and logistical issues.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• constitutional 
• contractual 
• fair 
• juridical 
• lawful 
• legitimate 
• proper 
• statutory 
• valid