Illegitimate vs. Illegal — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on October 3, 2023
Illegitimate often pertains to birth without legal marriage or lacks authorized validity, while Illegal refers to what's prohibited by law.
Difference Between Illegitimate and Illegal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The terms Illegitimate and Illegal, while both suggesting something not in accord with established norms, have distinct connotations and applications. Illegitimate often pertains to situations where something is not recognized as valid or legitimate, like when a child is born out of wedlock. Such a use doesn't necessarily involve a legal infraction but speaks more to societal or traditional norms.
On the other hand, Illegal is straightforwardly linked to the law. When an act is deemed illegal, it means it's directly in violation of established laws or statutes. For example, illegal parking signifies that the act contravenes a particular traffic law. This term is often associated with penalties or punishments.
Moreover, Illegitimate can also be used to describe situations or entities lacking authorized validity or recognition, such as an illegitimate government. It doesn't always carry a moral weight, but it can indicate a lack of formal acceptance or endorsement. Conversely, Illegal always carries a weight of wrongdoing in the eyes of the law.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Not recognized as valid or legitimate
Prohibited by law
Relation
Often related to societal or traditional norms
Directly related to legal norms
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Connotation
Can be neutral or negative, based on context
Generally negative, denotes wrongdoing
Usage in Sentence
"He was the illegitimate son of the duke."
"It is illegal to drive without a license."
Associated Domains
Family law, societal norms, governance
Criminal law, regulatory standards
Compare with Definitions
Illegitimate
Not in line with established standards.
His methods were considered illegitimate by his peers.
Illegal
Forbidden by law.
Illegal drugs can lead to severe penalties.
Illegitimate
Lacking logical validity.
His argument was based on illegitimate reasoning.
Illegal
Contrary to official rules or regulations.
Illegal parking can result in a fine.
Illegitimate
Born of parents not married to each other.
The novel highlighted the struggles of an illegitimate child.
Illegal
Done without the necessary official permission.
The illegal construction was halted by city officials.
Illegitimate
Being against established or accepted rules and standards
An illegitimate means of winning a debate.
Illegal
Prohibited by law.
Illegitimate
Being against the law; illegal
An illegitimate contract.
Illegal
Prohibited by official rules
An illegal pass in football.
Illegitimate
Not valid or defensible
Their reasons for missing school are illegitimate.
Illegal
Unacceptable to or not performable by a computer
An illegal operation.
Illegitimate
Incorrectly deduced; illogical
An illegitimate conclusion.
Illegal
A person who is not legally authorized to live and work in a country.
Illegitimate
(Biology) Unacceptable as a scientific name because of not conforming to the international rules of nomenclature.
Illegal
Contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law.
This is illegal, you know!
Nearly 40 million people live in UK areas with illegal air pollution
Their illegal mining operations in Asia, Africa and elsewhere, are protected by officials and police paid to look the other way – and powerful customers in the construction industry who prefer not to ask too many questions.
Illegitimate
(Offensive) Born to parents not married to each other.
Illegal
Breaching certain enacted statutes of positive law; not lawful, not legal (cf. immoral, unethical)
Illegitimate
Not conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards.
Illegal
Forbidden by established rules.
Moving a pawn backward is an illegal move in chess.
Illegitimate
Not in accordance with the law.
Illegal
Totally fictitious, and often issued on behalf of a non-existent territory or country.
Illegitimate
Not sanctioned by marriage.
Illegal
Being or doing something illegally.
Illegal immigrant
Illegal logger
Illegal pilot
Illegitimate
Born to unmarried parents.
An illegitimate child
Illegal
Being an illegal immigrant; residing in a country illegally.
Illegitimate
(dated) Having a child or children with a person to whom one is not married.
Illegal
(obsolete) An illegal act or technique.
Illegitimate
Not correctly deduced.
An illegitimate inference
Illegal
Contraband, esp. illegal substances such as drugs.
Illegitimate
Not authorized by good usage; not genuine.
An illegitimate word
Illegal
An illegal immigrant.
Illegitimate
(botany) Involving the fertilization of pistils by stamens not of their own length, in heterogonously dimorphic and trimorphic flowers.
Illegitimate union; illegitimate fertilization
Illegal
(espionage) A spy working abroad illegally and undercover, without visible ties to his or her country’s authorities.
Illegitimate
A person born to unmarried parents.
Illegal
Not according to, or authorized by, law; specif., contrary to, or in violation of, human law; unlawful; illicit; hence, immoral; as, an illegal act; illegal trade; illegal love.
Illegitimate
(transitive) To make illegitimate.
Illegal
Prohibited by law or by official or accepted rules;
An illegal chess move
Illegitimate
Not according to law; not regular or authorized; unlawful; improper.
Illegal
Not having the right to be or remain in a place.
The lawyer discussed his client's illegal status.
Illegitimate
Unlawfully begotten; born out of wedlock; bastard; as, an illegitimate child.
Illegal
Contrary to accepted morality or convention.
The company was involved in illegal activities.
Illegitimate
Not legitimately deduced or inferred; illogical; as, an illegitimate inference.
Illegitimate
Not authorized by good usage; not genuine; spurious; as, an illegitimate word.
Illegitimate
To render illegitimate; to declare or prove to be born out of wedlock; to bastardize; to illegitimatize.
The marriage should only be dissolved for the future, without illegitimating the issue.
Illegitimate
The illegitimate offspring of unmarried parents
Illegitimate
Contrary to or forbidden by law;
An illegitimate seizure of power
Illicit trade
An outlaw strike
Unlawful measures
Illegitimate
Of marriages and offspring; not recognized as lawful
Illegitimate
Not authorized or recognized.
The rebels established an illegitimate government.
Illegitimate
Not genuine or justifiable.
The company faced accusations of illegitimate practices.
Common Curiosities
Does illegitimate always refer to birth status?
No, it can also refer to unauthorized or unrecognized entities or actions.
Can something be illegitimate but not illegal?
Yes, a child born out of wedlock may be considered illegitimate in some societies, but it's not illegal.
Is every illegal act punishable by law?
Most illegal acts carry penalties, but the severity and enforcement can vary.
Can an illegal act become legal over time?
Yes, laws can change, and what was once illegal might become legal.
Can an act be legal in one country and illegal in another?
Absolutely, laws vary across countries and jurisdictions.
What are common examples of illegal activities?
Examples include theft, assault, and drug trafficking.
Do all countries have the same definition of illegitimate and illegal?
No, cultural, legal, and societal standards vary across countries.
Are all illegal acts immoral?
Not necessarily. Morality is subjective, while legality is based on written laws.
What does it mean if a government is termed illegitimate?
It often means the government lacks recognized authority or was established without popular consent.
Can an illegitimate act become legitimate over time?
In societal terms, yes, as norms and traditions evolve.
Are all illegitimate children born outside of marriage?
Mostly, but "illegitimate" can also refer to children born in violation of certain laws or customs.
Does illegitimate carry a negative connotation?
Often, but context matters. It can be neutral in some situations.
Are there gray areas between legitimate and illegitimate?
Yes, especially in matters of custom, tradition, or evolving societal norms.
What's the difference between illegal and unlawful?
While both refer to what's prohibited by law, "unlawful" often emphasizes a lack of legal authority, while "illegal" denotes a breach of statutes.
Is there a stigma attached to the term "illegitimate" in modern societies?
While it's lessening, in some places and contexts, a stigma still exists.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
