legal

[ lee-guhl ]

/ ˈli gəl /

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See synonyms for: legal / legally on Thesaurus.com

adjective

permitted by law; lawful: Such acts are not legal.

of or relating to law; connected with the law or its administration: the legal profession.

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

recognized by law rather than by equity.

of, relating to, or characteristic of the profession of law or of lawyers: a legal mind.

Theology.

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

noun

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

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

a person whose status is protected by law.

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

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

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

OTHER WORDS FOR legal

1 licit, legitimate;

3 sanctioned.

See synonyms for legal on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of legal

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin lēgālis “of the law,” equivalent to lēg- (stem of lēx ) “law” + -ālis adjective suffix; see -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM legal

le·gal·ly, adverbpost·le·gal, adjectivepre·le·gal, adjectivepseu·do·le·gal, adjective

quasi-legal, adjectivequa·si-le·gal·ly, adverbun·le·gal, adjectiveun·le·gal·ly, adverbun·le·gal·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use legal in a sentence

It meets all EPA and NSF guidelines to remove bacteria and protozoa, though there is no legal requirement for filters to do so.
The High-Capacity Water Filter You Need for Base Camp|Joe Jackson|November 20, 2020|Outside Online
Parker said he was not aware of any other legal actions the state was taking against the business that could lead to it being shut down.
After Virginia faulted a Christian day care for lack of masks, pastor told parents covid was a ‘hoax’|Meagan Flynn, Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Michelle Boorstein|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Before joining the Labor Department last year, she’d worked for legal organizations that serve low-wage workers, including immigrants, on labor-related issues.
Inside the Lives of Immigrant Teens Working Dangerous Night Shifts in Suburban Factories|by Melissa Sanchez|November 19, 2020|ProPublica
In a filing to the Supreme Court, Hall’s attorneys told the justices that the government should not rush to execute a federal prisoner in the middle of a pandemic that makes it difficult for Hall to work with his legal team and seek clemency.
Orlando Hall executed after Supreme Court declined to intervene|Ann Marimow|November 19, 2020|Washington Post

The Division of Elections rejected the recall petition, based on Clarkson’s legal advice, but Alaska courts have ruled the effort could proceed.
Junior Staffer Says Top Alaska Official Told Her to Keep Allegations of Misconduct Secret|by Kyle Hopkins, Anchorage Daily News|November 18, 2020|ProPublica
In our headlong quest for a legally perfect society, we don’t take the time to take stock of what‘s been created so far.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is freedom, and accountable both legally and socially to the free choices of others around them.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Interestingly, if Grimm is expelled, he is not legally prohibited from running in the special election for his seat.
The Felon Who Wouldn’t Leave Congress|Ben Jacobs, David Freedlander|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The two girls were legally emancipated and returned to the Covington household.
Beaten By His Church for Being Gay|Justin Jones|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Administration lawyers also approved the "enhanced interrogation techniques" and said they were legally permissible.
Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: Dec. 14|PunditFact.com|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A call therefore to transact any business that may be legally presented is not sufficient.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
The business of a pawnbroker is legally regulated by statute, and the states usually require him to get a license.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
A meeting may be legally held though one of its members is incapable, physically or mentally, from receiving notice.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
Unless this is fixed by charter or by the stockholders they can get nothing, for they cannot legally vote salaries to themselves.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles
They could not legally make such loans, for no one would represent the bank.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles

British Dictionary definitions for legal

legal

/ (ˈliːɡəl) /

adjective

established by or founded upon law; lawful

of or relating to law

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

relating to or characteristic of the profession of law

Derived forms of legal

legally, adverb

Word Origin for legal

C16: from Latin lēgālis, from lēx law

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

legal

OTHER WORDS FOR legal

Origin of legal

OTHER WORDS FROM legal

Words related to legal

How to use legal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for legal

Derived forms of legal

Word Origin for legal