Illegitimate

/ɪˌlɛdʒɪˈtɪmət/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person born of parents who are not married to each other.

As an illegitimate, he faced discrimination in his community.

adjective

Not authorized by law; illegal or unlawful.

The illegitimate business practices led to a government investigation.

Born of parents who are not married to each other; often considered socially unacceptable.

He was raised as an illegitimate child, which affected his social standing.

Not in accordance with accepted standards or rules; not valid.

The committee rejected his illegitimate claim to the property.

From Latin 'illegitimus', from 'in-' meaning 'not' + 'legitimus' meaning 'lawful'.

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.

legitimate

Conforming to the law or rules; lawful.

illegitimacy

The state of being illegitimate.

Not valid or genuine.

Those so-called 'experts' are totally illegitimate.

Unrecognized or unapproved.

Using that vendor is just illegitimate; stick with the trusted ones.