Legitimate vs. Legitimize — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 6, 2024
"Legitimate" is an adjective meaning legal or valid, while "legitimize" is a verb meaning to make something lawful or acceptable.
Difference Between Legitimate and Legitimize
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Legitimate" is primarily used as an adjective to describe something that conforms to the law or to established rules and standards. For instance, a legitimate business operates within the legal framework set by authorities. On the other hand, "legitimize" serves as a verb that involves the process of making an activity, institution, or process acceptable and valid, typically in a legal or official context.
In the context of legality and authority, "legitimate" can be applied to describe rightful status or claims, such as a legitimate heir to a throne. Whereas "legitimize" focuses on the action of granting legitimacy or official approval, as when a government seeks to legitimize a new policy or law.
When considering societal norms, "legitimate" is often used to affirm the acceptability or appropriateness of behaviors and practices according to societal standards. Conversely, "legitimize" might be used to describe efforts to change societal attitudes or norms to accept previously marginal or controversial practices.
In literature and argumentation, "legitimate" might describe a claim or argument that is justified and well-founded. Meanwhile, "legitimize" could be discussed in terms of making an argument or narrative more acceptable or credible to a broader audience.
Regarding documentation and procedures, something is "legitimate" if it adheres to the required protocols or standards, such as a legitimate document being properly authorized. On the contrary, to "legitimize" such a document would involve the process of ensuring it meets all necessary formalities to be considered valid.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Verb
Definition
Conforming to the law or rules; valid or acceptable
To make something legal, acceptable, or recognized
Usage in Context
A legitimate concern about privacy.
Seeking to legitimize unconventional practices.
Focus
On status or condition being within accepted parameters
On the process of granting acceptance or legality
Examples
A legitimate reason for missing work.
Efforts to legitimize a controversial political move
Compare with Definitions
Legitimate
Legally correct or acceptable.
The company was involved in legitimate business activities.
Legitimize
To justify or make defensible.
The government's action was seen as an attempt to legitimize their authority.
Legitimate
Based on logical reasoning; reasonable.
She has a legitimate claim to the estate.
Legitimize
To grant acceptance or validity.
The policy was introduced to legitimize the informal sector.
Legitimate
Conforming to established standards of conduct.
Their concerns were completely legitimate.
Legitimize
To make a concept or practice customary or accepted.
The amendment seeks to legitimize digital signatures.
Legitimate
Born of parents lawfully married to each other.
He is the legitimate son of the count.
Legitimize
To make lawful or legal.
The reform aims to legitimize small-scale industries.
Legitimate
Being exactly as intended or presented; genuine.
They received a legitimate software license.
Legitimize
To confer legitimacy, especially in a political context.
The treaty will legitimize the new boundaries.
Legitimate
Conforming to the law or to rules
His claims to legitimate authority
Legitimize
To give legal force or status to; make lawful.
Legitimate
Able to be defended with logic or justification; valid
A legitimate excuse for being late
Legitimize
To sanction formally or officially; authorize.
Legitimate
Constituting or relating to serious drama as distinct from musical comedy, revue, etc.
The legitimate theatre
Legitimize
To demonstrate or declare to be justified.
Legitimate
Make lawful or justify
The regime was not legitimated by popular support
Legitimize
(transitive) To make legitimate.
Legitimate
Being in compliance with the law; lawful
A legitimate business.
Legitimize
To legitimate.
Legitimate
Being in accordance with established or accepted rules and standards
Legitimate advertising practices.
Legitimize
Make legal;
Marijuana should be legalized
Legitimate
Valid or justifiable
A legitimate complaint.
Legitimate
Based on logical reasoning
A legitimate deduction.
Legitimate
Born of legally married parents
Legitimate offspring.
Legitimate
Of, relating to, or ruling by hereditary right
A legitimate monarch.
Legitimate
Of or relating to drama of high professional quality that excludes burlesque, vaudeville, and some forms of musical comedy
The legitimate theater.
Legitimate
To legitimize.
Legitimate
In accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements.
Legitimate
Conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards; valid.
Legitimate reasoning; a legitimate standard or method
Legitimate
Authentic, real, genuine.
Legitimate poems of Chaucer; legitimate inscriptions
Legitimate
Lawfully begotten, i.e., born to a legally married couple.
Legitimate
Relating to hereditary rights.
Legitimate
Belonging or relating to the legitimate theater.
Legitimate
A person born to a legally married couple.
Legitimate
(transitive) To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; especially, to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means.
Legitimate
Accordant with law or with established legal forms and requirements; lawful; as, legitimate government; legitimate rights; the legitimate succession to the throne; a legitimate proceeding of an officer; a legitimate heir.
Legitimate
Lawfully begotten; born in wedlock.
Legitimate
Authorized; real; genuine; not false, counterfe`t, or spurious; as,$legitimate poems of Chaucer; legitimate inscriptions.
Legitimate
Conforming to known principles, or accepted rules; as, legitimate reasoning; a legitimate standard, or method; a legitimate combination of colors.
Tillotson still keeps his place as a legitimate English classic.
Legitimate
Following by logical sequence; reasonable; as, a legitimate result; a legitimate inference.
Legitimate
To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; esp., to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means; as, to legitimate a bastard child.
To enact a statute of that which he dares not seem to approve, even to legitimate vice.
Legitimate
Make legal;
Marijuana should be legalized
Legitimate
Show or affirm to be just and legitimate
Legitimate
Make (an illegitimate child) legitimate; declare the legitimacy of (someone);
They legitimized their natural child
Legitimate
Of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful
Legitimate
In accordance with reason or logic;
A logical conclusion
Legitimate
In accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles;
Legitimate advertising practices
Legitimate
Authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law;
A legitimate government
Common Curiosities
Why is it important to legitimize a new practice or idea?
It helps gain acceptance and ensures adherence to legal and societal standards.
What is the difference between 'legitimate' and 'legal'?
"Legitimate" includes broader acceptability and correctness, whereas "legal" strictly relates to the law.
How does one use the verb 'legitimize'?
To legitimize means to make something legal, acceptable, or recognized officially.
Is 'legitimate' only used in legal contexts?
No, it can also describe anything generally accepted as right or reasonable in various contexts.
How do institutions use the concept of legitimacy?
Institutions often seek legitimacy to ensure their operations and authority are recognized and respected.
What does it mean when something is described as legitimate?
It means it conforms to the law, rules, or standards of acceptability.
Can a person be described as legitimate?
Yes, especially in contexts relating to rightful status or descent, like a legitimate heir.
What does it mean to legitimize a government?
It involves processes that validate the government's authority and actions, making them accepted.
What are examples of things that can be legitimized?
Policies, governments, practices, and new technologies can all be subjects of legitimization.
Can legitimizing an act change public opinion?
Yes, it can contribute to changing public perceptions by officially sanctioning it.
What's the relationship between legitimacy and authority?
Legitimacy often underpins the recognized authority or power of an entity, making it accepted by others.
How does societal legitimacy differ from legal legitimacy?
Societal legitimacy involves broader societal acceptance, while legal legitimacy strictly follows legal criteria.
Can a legitimate concern be trivial?
While it can vary in significance, a legitimate concern is always based on reasonable grounds.
How does the process of legitimization affect innovation?
It can facilitate innovation acceptance and integration into standard practices.
Is it possible to legitimize something that was once considered illegal?
Yes, through changes in laws and public attitudes, previously illegal acts can be legitimized.
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Written 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.
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.
