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View synonyms for

legal

[lee-guhl]

  1. permitted by law; lawful.

    Such acts are not legal.

  2. of or relating to law; connected with the law or its administration.

    the legal profession.

  3. appointed, established, or authorized by law; deriving authority from law.

    Synonyms: , ,
  4. recognized by law rather than by equity.

  5. of, relating to, or characteristic of the profession of law or of lawyers.

    a legal mind.

  6. Theology.

    1. of or relating to the Mosaic Law.

    2. of or relating to the doctrine that salvation is gained by good works rather than through free grace.



  1. a person who acts in a legal manner or with legal authority.

  2. Usually legals a foreigner who has entered or resides in a country legally.

  3. a person whose status is protected by law.

  4. a fish or game animal, within specified size or weight limitations, that the law allows to be caught and kept during an appropriate season.

  5. a foreigner who conducts espionage against a host country while working there in a legitimate capacity, often in the diplomatic service.

  6. legals, authorized investments that may be made by fiduciaries, as savings banks or trustees.

legal

/ ˈːɡə /

  1. established by or founded upon law; lawful

  2. of or relating to law

  3. recognized, enforceable, or having a remedy at law rather than in equity

  4. relating to or characteristic of the profession of law

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • legally adverb
  • postlegal adjective
  • prelegal adjective
  • pseudolegal adjective
  • quasi-legal adjective
  • quasi-legally adverb
  • unlegal adjective
  • unlegally adverb
  • unlegalness noun
  • ˈ𲵲 adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of legal1

First recorded in 1490–1500; from Latin ŧ “of the law,” equivalent to ŧ- (stem of ŧ ) “law” + - adjective suffix; -al 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of legal1

C16: from Latin ŧ, from ŧ law
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

She said: "Housing people, including survivors of torture and trafficking, in an isolated, overcrowded camp reminiscent of an open-air prison, with inadequate healthcare and legal services, is an inhumane way to treat those seeking protection."

From

The encounter with Gavidia and others they are tracking have raised legal questions about enforcement efforts that have swept up hundreds of immigrants and shot fear into the deeply intertwined communities they call home.

From

The hospital admitted him under a name the English-speaking world has used for centuries when a legal name can’t be verified: John Doe.

From

The program has been the focus of a lengthy legal challenge and could eventually be ruled illegal.

From

Some conservationists, including the organisation Greenpeace, are concerned that the government's decision could be reversed by legal action by the mining companies.

From

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legacylegal age