legitimize

[ li-jit-uh-mahyz ]
See synonyms for legitimize on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),le·git·i·mized, le·git·i·miz·ing.
  1. to make legitimate.

Origin of legitimize

1
First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin lēgitim(us) (see legitim) + -ize
  • Also especially British, le·git·i·mise .
  • Also le·git·i·ma·tize, especially British, le·git·i·ma·tise [li-jit-uh-muh-tahyz] /lɪˈdʒɪt ə məˌtaɪz/ .

Other words from legitimize

  • le·git·i·mi·za·tion, noun

Words that may be confused with legitimize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use legitimize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for legitimize

legitimize

legitimise legitimatize or legitimatise (lɪˈdʒɪtɪməˌtaɪz)

/ (lɪˈdʒɪtɪˌmaɪz) /


verb
  1. (tr) to make legitimate; legalize

Derived forms of legitimize

  • legitimization, legitimisation, legitimatization or legitimatisation, noun

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