legitimacy

/lɪˈdʒɪtɪməsi/ (bre, ipa) · /lɪˈdʒɪtɪməsi/ (ame, ipa) · /li-ˈji-tə-mə-sē/ (ame, mw)

legitimacy — noun

1. whether something is permitted by law or official rules

1.名詞C1
釋義

whether something is permitted by law or official rules

例句

Judge Patel questioned the legitimacy of the search without court approval.

question the legitimacy of + legal action

Lawyers argued over the legitimacy of Mateo's contract signed after midnight.

legitimacy of + contract

同義詞
  • lawfulness

    more formal and focused directly on conformity with the law

  • validity

    often used for documents or claims, not always specifically about the law

反義詞
  • illegality

    directly means that something is against the law

文法句型

the legitimacy of + legal action

question the legitimacy of + document

check the legitimacy of + permit

用法筆記

Often used for permits, searches, contracts, elections, and other official acts when the question is whether they are lawful. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about public or moral acceptance rather than the law itself.

常見錯誤

❌The company had to prove the permit was legitimacy.
✅The company had to prove the permit's legitimacy.
💡Legitimacy is the noun; legitimate is the adjective.

2. the state of having enough fairness or good reason for people to accept somethin

2.名詞C1
釋義

the state of having enough fairness or good reason for people to accept something

例句

Many voters questioned the legitimacy of the result after the recount.

the legitimacy of + result

At lunch, students debated the legitimacy of the new dress code.

legitimacy of + rule or policy

同義詞
  • validity

    often stresses that an argument or concern is sound rather than broadly accepted

  • credibility

    focuses more on whether people believe a person or claim

  • justification

    focuses on the reason offered in defense, not the wider acceptance it creates

反義詞
  • illegitimacy

    used when authority or acceptance is seen as unjustified

文法句型

the legitimacy of + result

give legitimacy to + concern

build legitimacy

用法筆記

Common with decisions, results, complaints, or governments when people ask whether they deserve acceptance. Distinguish from sense 1 when the issue is not legality but whether others see something as fair, reasonable, or properly grounded.

常見錯誤

❌Her calm reply strengthened the plan's legality.
✅Her calm reply strengthened the plan's legitimacy.
💡Legality is about the law, while legitimacy here is about justified acceptance.