legitimacy
English meaning: Legitimacy
Definition
The condition of being lawful, justified, or generally accepted as valid and rightful.
Example
“The election's legitimacy was questioned after reports of widespread irregularities emerged.”
Another example: “The disputed election cast doubt on the new leader's legitimacy.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A formal noun for the quality of being lawful, valid or widely accepted as rightful; common in political science, law and journalism ('the legitimacy of the government'). Frequently 'question' or 'undermine' legitimacy.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'legitimus' (lawful), from 'lex' (law).
Synonyms
- validity
- lawfulness
- authenticity
- authority
Antonyms / Opposites
- illegitimacy
- invalidity
Related Words
- legitimate
- questioned
- disputed
- sovereignty
- regime
- succession
- monarchy
- mandate
- governance
- monarch
- ideology
- claim
Common Collocations
- question the legitimacy
- political legitimacy
- democratic legitimacy
- legitimacy of the
- undermine legitimacy
Word Forms
legitimacy (n); legitimate (adj/v); legitimately (adv)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B