Legal vs. Legit — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 16, 2024
"Legal" refers to something that is permitted by law, while "legit" is informal slang meaning genuine or credible. Legal pertains to adherence to laws and regulations; legit refers to authenticity or trustworthiness.
Difference Between Legal and Legit
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
"Legal" denotes compliance with laws and regulations. It describes actions, activities, or entities that are lawful and sanctioned by governing bodies. For instance, a legal contract is one that meets all legal requirements and is enforceable in court. "Legit," on the other hand, is slang derived from "legitimate" and means genuine, authentic, or credible. It is used informally to describe something or someone as real or trustworthy. For example, calling a business "legit" means it is trustworthy and operates honestly.
Legal matters are often formal and involve strict adherence to the law. Legit is a more casual term used in everyday language to affirm the credibility or authenticity of something. While legal status is determined by legislative and judicial systems, legitimacy in the colloquial sense is often based on personal or public perception.
The term "legal" is specific and objective, grounded in established laws and regulations. "Legit" is subjective and can vary based on context, cultural norms, and personal opinions.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Permitted by law
Genuine or credible
Usage Context
Formal, legal, regulatory
Informal, everyday language
ADVERTISEMENT
Basis
Laws and regulations
Perception of authenticity
Formality
High
Low
Example Usage
Legal contract, legal action
Legit business, legit offer
Objective/Subjective
Objective
Subjective
Compare with Definitions
Legal
Authorized or based on law.
The legal age for voting is 18.
Legit
Conforming to recognized rules or standards.
The job offer seems legit; it came from a reputable company.
Legal
Relating to the law or its practice.
She sought legal advice before signing the contract.
Legit
Informally indicating that something is not fake.
These sneakers are legit; they’re from an official retailer.
Legal
Of, relating to, or concerned with law
Legal papers.
Legit
Accepted as valid or authentic.
This website looks legit; it has good reviews.
Legal
Established or recognized by law
A legal right.
Legit
Informal for legitimate, meaning genuine or real.
The deal sounds too good to be legit.
Legal
Authorized by law
The legal owner.
Legit
Trustworthy or credible.
He's a legit expert in his field.
Legal
Established legally other than by statute, as by a judicial opinion
A legal authority.
Legit
Legitimate.
Legal
In conformity with or permitted by law
Legal business operations.
Legit
A legitimate; a legitimate actor.
Legal
Recognized or enforced by law rather than by equity.
Legit
(slang) A legitimate child.
Legal
In terms of or created by the law
A legal offense.
Legit
(informal) Legitimate; legal; allowed by the rules; valid.
Legal
Applicable to or characteristic of attorneys or their profession.
Legit
(video games) Not using cheats.
Did you see how fast that person was moving? I don't think they're legit.
Legal
Acceptable or allowable under official rules
A legal forward pass.
Legit
Genuine, actual, literal or honest.
Legal
A person who is legally authorized to live and work in a country.
Legit
(slang) Genuinely good and possessing all the required or expected qualities; the real deal.
I checked out her portfolio. She's legit.
Legal
A person or department providing legal assistance.
Legit
(slang) Cool by virtue of being genuine.
Legal
A legal notice, especially an advertisement.
Legit
(informal) Legitimately; within the law.
Legal
Relating to the law or to lawyers.
Legal profession
Legit
(slang) Honestly; truly; seriously.
He legit thinks he can pass the test on zero sleep.
That legit scared the hell out of me.
Legal
Having its basis in the law.
Legal precedent
Legal
Being allowed or prescribed by law.
Legal motion
Legal
Following the rules or syntax of a system, such as a game or a programming language.
If you have no legal move, but are not in check the game is a draw.
Legal
(informal) Above the age of consent or the legal drinking age.
Legal
(of paper or document layouts) Measuring 8½ in × 14 in (215.9 mm × 355.6 mm) (also legal-size).
Legal
The legal department of a company.
Legal wants this in writing.
Legal
Paper in sheets 8½ in × 14 in (215.9 mm × 355.6 mm).
Legal
(countable) A spy who is attached to, and ostensibly employed by, an embassy, military outpost, etc.
Legal
Somebody who immigrated lawfully.
Legal
Created by, permitted by, in conformity with, or relating to, law; as, a legal obligation; a legal standard or test; a legal procedure; a legal claim; a legal trade; anything is legal which the laws do not forbid.
Legal
According to the law of works, as distinguished from free grace; or resting on works for salvation.
Legal
Governed by the rules of law as distinguished from the rules of equity; as, legal estate; legal assets.
Legal
Established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules
Legal
Of or relating to jurisprudence;
Legal loophole
Legal
Having legal efficacy or force;
A sound title to the property
Legal
Relating to or characteristic of the profession of law;
The legal profession
Legal
Allowed by official rules;
A legal pass receiver
Legal
Established by or founded upon law.
They took legal action against the company.
Legal
Permissible according to the law.
It is legal to park here after 6 PM.
Legal
Conforming to or permitted by law.
The legal requirements for starting a business vary by state.
Common Curiosities
Is "legit" formal or informal?
"Legit" is an informal term commonly used in everyday language.
What does "legal" mean?
"Legal" refers to something that is permitted by law or relates to the law.
Can something be legit but not legal?
Yes, something can be perceived as genuine (legit) but still be illegal if it doesn't comply with the law.
How is legal status determined?
Legal status is determined by adherence to laws and regulations set by governing bodies.
What does "legit" mean?
"Legit" is slang for genuine, authentic, or credible.
What is a legal contract?
A legal contract is a binding agreement that meets all legal requirements and is enforceable by law.
Is "legal" formal or informal?
"Legal" is a formal term used in the context of laws and regulations.
What is a legit business?
A legit business is one that is credible, trustworthy, and operates honestly.
What makes a business legit?
A business is considered legit if it is perceived as credible, trustworthy, and operates honestly.
Can something be legal but not legit?
Yes, something can be legal but not perceived as credible or authentic (legit) by others.
How is legitimacy determined?
Legitimacy is often determined by public perception, cultural norms, and personal opinions.
What does it mean if something is legally binding?
If something is legally binding, it means it is enforceable by law.
What makes a business legal?
A business is legal if it operates in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Can "legit" be used in legal documents?
No, "legit" is too informal and is not appropriate for legal documents.
Is "legit" a recognized formal term?
No, "legit" is informal slang derived from "legitimate."
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Hobby vs. Obsession
Next Comparison
Ovality vs. RoundnessAuthor Spotlight
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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
