Meaning & Definition of word "Illegitimate"
Illegitimate
/ɪˌlɛdʒɪˈtɪmət/
noun:
- 1. A person born of parents who are not married to each other.
- Example: As an illegitimate, he faced discrimination in his community.
adjective:
- 1. Not authorized by law; illegal or unlawful.
- Example: The illegitimate business practices led to a government investigation.
- 2. Born of parents who are not married to each other; often considered socially unacceptable.
- Example: He was raised as an illegitimate child, which affected his social standing.
- 3. Not in accordance with accepted standards or rules; not valid.
- Example: The committee rejected his illegitimate claim to the property.
Etymology
●From Latin 'illegitimus', from 'in-' meaning 'not' + 'legitimus' meaning 'lawful'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
illegitimate child:
A child born to parents who are not married to each other.
illegitimate business:
A business operation that is not authorized by law.
illegitimate claim:
A claim that lacks legal validity.
Related Words
legitimate:
Conforming to the law or rules; lawful.
illegitimacy:
The state of being illegitimate.
Slang Meanings of illegitimate
Meaning: Not valid or genuine.
● Example Sentence: Those so-called 'experts' are totally illegitimate.
Meaning: Unrecognized or unapproved.
● Example Sentence: Using that vendor is just illegitimate; stick with the trusted ones.