legitimacy

American  

[li-jit-uh-muh-see] / lɪˈdʒɪt ə mə si /

noun

1. the state or quality of being legitimate.

   Synonyms:

   rightfulness, legality, lawfulness

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Other Word Forms

• nonlegitimacy noun

Etymology

Origin of legitimacy

First recorded in 1685–95; legitim(ate) + -acy

Explanation

The noun legitimacy means authenticity. If you found an old copy of the Gettysburg Address in your grandmother's attic, you'd have to question its legitimacy when you realized it was written on the back of a car advertisement. Legitimacy comes from the Latin verb legitimare, which means lawful. Legitimacy, then, refers to something that is legal because it meets the specific requirements of the law. The legitimacy of various countries' presidential elections is often discussed, with monitors keeping track of the voting procedures to make sure they follow all the necessary rules.

Example Sentences

Weeks before the attack, the North Korean hackers created an illusion of legitimacy by creating a fake token called CarbonVote.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

I want to establish legitimacy for the architects and contractors that created here.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Analysts say another aim of the election was to normalise their image with a veneer of legitimacy, unfreezing foreign engagement -- including investment projects.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The story has since gained traction because it was reported by mainstream outlets, lending an unusual layer of legitimacy to what might otherwise be dismissed as a fringe anecdote.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

The creditor’s note was purportedly signed by Roan and was dated “Jany, 1921”; this was important, because it indicated that the note predated efforts to obtain the insurance, giving legitimacy to Hale’s claim.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

• authority
• justice
• validity