Meaning of the word legal

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin lēgālis (“legal”), from lēx (“law”). Doublet of loyal and leal.

Pronunciation[edit]

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈliː.ɡəl/
• Rhymes: -iːɡəl
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈliɡəl/

Adjective[edit]

legal (comparative more legal, superlative most legal)

1. Relating to the law or to lawyers.

   • 2013 June 8, “Obama goes troll-hunting”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8839, page 55:

     According to this saga of intellectual-property misanthropy, these creatures [patent trolls] roam the business world, buying up patents and then using them to demand extravagant payouts from companies they accuse of infringing them. Often, their victims pay up rather than face the costs of a legal battle.

   legal profession

2. Having its basis in the law.

   legal precedent

3. Being allowed or prescribed by law.

   • 2013 August 23, “Waking life”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8850:

     After 50 years, legal segregation is a distant memory, and race in America is not the unbridgeable chasm it once was. The country has a black president. The sort of comity that King evoked, in which the descendants of slaves and of slave owners “sit down together at the table of brotherhood”, can be found in many places, including the Deep South. The rate of marriage between blacks and whites is rising.

   legal motion

4. 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.

   • 2021, John V. Guttag, Introduction to Computation and Programming Using Python, Third Edition, page 7:

     Programming languages are designed so that each legal program has exactly one meaning

5. (informal) Above the age of consent or the legal drinking age.
6. (US, Canada) (of paper or document layouts) Measuring 8½ in × 14 in (215.9 mm × 355.6 mm) (also legal-size).

Antonyms[edit]

• (allowed): banned, contraband, disallowed, forbidden, illegal, outlawed, unlawful
• (concerning law): black-market, back-alley
• (over age of consent): underage

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Noun[edit]

legal (countable and uncountable, plural legals)

1. (uncountable, informal) The legal department of a company.

   Legal wants this in writing.

2. (uncountable, US, Canada) Paper in sheets 8½ in × 14 in (215.9 mm × 355.6 mm).
3. (countable) A spy who is attached to, and ostensibly employed by, an embassy, military outpost, etc.
4. (countable, informal, US) Somebody who immigrated lawfully.

   Antonyms: illegal, undocumented

Derived terms[edit]

• legal-size

Anagrams[edit]

• Galle, egall

Catalan[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin lēgālis. Compare the inherited doublet lleial.

Pronunciation[edit]

• (Balearic, Central) IPA^(key): /ləˈɡal/
• (Valencian) IPA^(key): /leˈɡal/

Adjective[edit]

legal (masculine and feminine plural legals)

1. legal

   Antonym: il·legal

Derived terms[edit]

• legalitzar
• legalment

[edit]

• legalitat
• llei
• lleial

Further reading[edit]

• “legal” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.
• “legal”, in Gran Diccionari de la Llengua Catalana, Grup Enciclopèdia Catalana, 2023
• “legal” in Diccionari normatiu valencià, Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua.
• “legal” in Diccionari català-valencià-balear, Antoni Maria Alcover and Francesc de Borja Moll, 1962.

Chavacano[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Spanish legal.

Adjective[edit]

legál

1. legal

Danish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin lēgālis (“legal”), from lēx (“law”).

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /leɡaːl/, [leˈɡ̊æːˀl]

Adjective[edit]

legal

1. legal (something that conforms to or is according to law)
2. legitimate (conforming to accepted rules)

Inflection[edit]

Inflection of legal
	Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Common singular	legal	—	—2
Neuter singular	legalt	—	—2
Plural	legale	—	—2
Definite attributive1	legale	—	—
1) When an adjective is applied predicatively to something definite, the corresponding «indefinite» form is used. 2) The «indefinite» superlatives may not be used attributively.

Synonyms[edit]

• (legal): lovlig
• (legitimate): legitim

Antonyms[edit]

• (legal): illegal

Galician[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin lēgālis. Compare leal.

Adjective[edit]

legal m or f (plural legais)

1. legal (having its basis in the law)

Antonyms[edit]

• ilegal

Derived terms[edit]

• legalmente

See also[edit]

• lícito

German[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin lēgālis (“legal”), from lēx (“law”).

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): [leːˈɡaːl]
• Rhymes: -aːl

Adjective[edit]

legal (strong nominative masculine singular legaler, not comparable)

1. legal

   Antonym: illegal

Declension[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• “legal” in Duden online
• “legal” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache

Indonesian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Dutch legaal (“legal”), from French légal, from Latin lēgālis.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): [ˈlɛɡal]
• Hyphenation: lè‧gal

Adjective[edit]

legal

1. legal, allowed or prescribed by law.

Derived terms[edit]

[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• “legal” in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia, Jakarta: Language Development and Fostering Agency — Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic Indonesia, 2016.

Portuguese[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin lēgālis (“legal”), from lēx (“law”). Compare leal, an inherited doublet.

Pronunciation[edit]

• Rhymes: (Portugal) -al, (Brazil) -aw
• Hyphenation: le‧gal

Adjective[edit]

legal m or f (plural legais)

1. legal

   Antonym: ilegal

2. (Brazil, familiar) cool, nice, good

   Antonym: chato

Quotations[edit]

For quotations using this term, see Citations:legal.

Synonyms[edit]

• (legal): lícito
• (Portugal, cool): fixe

Derived terms[edit]

• legalmente

[edit]

• ilegal
• legalidade

Romanian[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from French légal, Latin legalis. By surface analysis, lege +‎ -al.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /leˈɡal/

Adjective[edit]

legal m or n (feminine singular legală, masculine plural legali, feminine and neuter plural legale)

1. legal, lawful

Declension[edit]

Synonyms[edit]

• licit

Antonyms[edit]

• ilegal
• ilicit

[edit]

• legalitate
• legitim

Spanish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin lēgālis, from lēx (“law”). Compare leal, an inherited doublet.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /leˈɡal/ [leˈɣ̞al]
• Rhymes: -al
• Syllabification: le‧gal

Adjective[edit]

legal (plural legales)

1. legal, statutory

   Antonym: ilegal

2. lawful
3. (colloquial) legit

Derived terms[edit]

[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• “legal”, in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014

Swedish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Latin legalis.

Adjective[edit]

legal (not comparable)

1. legal

Declension[edit]

Inflection of legal
Indefinite	Positive	Comparative	Superlative2
Common singular	legal	—	—
Neuter singular	legalt	—	—
Plural	legala	—	—
Masculine plural3	legale	—	—
Definite	Positive	Comparative	Superlative
Masculine singular1	legale	—	—
All	legala	—	—
1) Only used, optionally, to refer to things whose natural gender is masculine. 2) The indefinite superlative forms are only used in the predicative. 3) Dated or archaic

[edit]

• illegal
• legalitet
• legitim

Tagalog[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from Spanish legal.

Pronunciation[edit]

• Hyphenation: le‧gal
• IPA^(key): /leˈɡal/, [leˈɣal]

Adjective[edit]

legál

1. legal

[edit]

• legalidad
• legalisa
• legalisado

Turkish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from French légal, from Latin lēgālis.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): /leˈɡɑl/

Adjective[edit]

legal

1. legal (being allowed or prescribed by law)

   Antonyms: illegal, yasa dışı

   Synonym: yasal

Britannica Dictionary definition of LEGAL

They point out that in the legal sense put forth by the constitution there is no reason to think that a fetus is a *legal* person. ❋ Unknown (2007)

Besides, do these illegals really want guest worker programs, or just to get all the benefits of citizenship without going through the legal process like the *legal* immigrants? ❋ Unknown (2006)

The present Law Officers of the Crown were rather startled at the intention of departing from the precedent of George IV. ‘s reign, on seeing the legal opinions of their predecessors; they did not differ from the _legal_ doctrines laid down by them, but were not very well satisfied on the point of discretion and policy. ❋ Queen Of Great Britain Victoria (1860)

The term legal monopoly is avoided because the means used are often illegal or non-legal. ❋ Amitai Etzioni (1988)

Instead, the version of the agreement that emerged contained the phrase «legal force»—a broader term that is seen as offering governments more leeway to identify how to curb emissions. ❋ Patrick McGroarty (2011)

It is important to consider how interpretation, as characterised in subsection 2.2 above, fits into the discussion of the ambit of the term legal reasoning in the opening section of this entry. ❋ Dickson, Julie (2005)

Article 4, Section 2, (the third paragraph,) the term «legally» was struck out; and the words, «under the laws thereof,» inserted after the word «State,» in compliance with the wish of some who thought the term legal equivocal, and favoring the idea that SLAVERY was ❋ American Anti-Slavery Society (N/A)

Other countries want to include the phrase «legal outcome,» language rejected by EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard as too vague. ❋ Unknown (2011)

But the EU objected to the late addition of the phrase «legal outcome,» which it said would allow countries to wriggle out of commitments. ❋ Unknown (2011)

It appears to me that the phrase legal translates into a DRM ridden file that is only partially complete, or at best a good sample of what your actually looking for. ❋ Unknown (2010)

The term legal tender does not in itself govern the acceptability of banknotes in transactions. ❋ Unknown (2009)

After the execution, Davis’s lawyers lamented what one described as a «legal lynching». ❋ Unknown (2011)

And we also worked on what we call legal literacy, getting communities to become aware of laws that are on the books to protect girls and also empowering them to take action to make sure that those laws are in force. ❋ Unknown (2011)

With extensive South America experience, Kaufman has been figuratively screaming for the anti-corruption movement to take notice of what he terms legal corruption or legal acts committed by private entities to gain undue influence. ❋ Unknown (2010)

Israel’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Daniel Carmon, countered that the flotilla’s intention was to break what he described as a legal maritime blockade on Gaza and that some of the activists had «known terrorist history.» ❋ Unknown (2010)

[Damn], it’s [about time] [the Olsen twins] became legal. ❋ Bernie (2004)

Dude, I’ve [done] this [a thousand] [times], it’s totally legal. ❋ Kim (2004)

[Legalize it]! ❋ Obsidian FatKid (2003)

See [attorney], [legislator], and [conflict of interest]. ❋ Downstrike (2004)

«[Apparently] [ass rape] is not legal» ❋ BONGO BILL (2004)

i am [allowed] that [substance] its legal, im safe [br]á ❋ Ya Know (2004)

A) guy1: «damn she’s hot, [i’d tap that]»
guy2: «dude there’s no way [she’s legal]»
guy1: «Fucking [jail bait]»
B) Sometimes its legal to kill someone…sweet ❋ Alec81484 (2004)

Because of their tight [grip] on politicians, big [corporations] influence legistlation and are allowed to [behave] in ways that are not legal for ordinary citizens. ❋ Pylbug (2004)

Hey! Your [bf] is so legal!
[Going out] with [friends] is so legal! ❋ Douglas Batista (2006)

Mom: Until you can legally drive, [NO CAR]!
Son: [dayam] mom, why you gotta [play me] like that? ❋ Erica (2004)

1	0   0 adj., adv. according to law, not in violation of law or anything …

2	0   0 legal A computerized database maintained by the NYSE to keep track of enforcement actions, audits, and complaints against member firms. This term is not an acronym but is referred to in capitals.

3	0   0 legal 1 [only before noun] connected with the law the legal profession/system to get/seek legal advice a legal adviser legal costs They are currently facing a long legal battle in the U.S. courts.2allowed o [..]

4	0   0 legal mid-15c. «of or pertaining to the law,» from Old French légal «legal» (14c.) or directly from Latin legalis «pertaining to the law,» from lex (genitive legis) «an e [..]

5	0   0 legal Something that is permitted, authorized, or sanctioned by law, not forbidden by law.

6	0   0 legal allowed by law.

7	0   0 legal Established by law. [D02933]

8	0   0 legal Legal conduct is established and authorized by law. Ethical conduct is established by published professional standards of conduct. Moral conduct is established by generally accepted standards of right [..]

9	0   0 legal In accordance with and not in violation of the law; having any relation to the law.

10	0   0 legal established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules of or relating to jurisprudence; "legal loophole" having legal efficacy or force; "a sound title [..]

11

0   0 legal The information, pictures, colours, and specifications contained within the Volkswagen Group Australia website (“the Website”) are presented as a general guide to the products and accessories offered by Volkswagen Group Australia. Except as provided by law, the Website is provided “as is” and without any warranty or condition, express or im [..]

12	0   0 legal adj. Loosely used to mean `in accordance with all the relevant rules’, esp. in connection with some set of constraints defined by software. «The older =+ alternate for += is no longer legal [..]

13	0   0 legal Definition Meeting the requirements under law.

14	0   0 legal [Latin legalis, from leg- lex law] 1 : of or relating to law or the processes of law [a question] [take action] 2 a : deriving authority from or founded on law [a tariff rate] [a government] b : …

15	0   0 legal Common US paper sizes for office use. Letter is 81

16	0   0 legal check for legal problems such as libel

17	0   0 legal Terms of Use

18	0   0 legal (adj) established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules(adj) of or relating to jurisprudence(adj) having legal efficacy or force(adj) relating to or characteristic of the profession [..]

19	0   0 legal canonicus, forensis

20	0   0 legal Non-Discrimination Policy

21	0   0 legal Legal

22	0   0 legal in accordance with the laws; permissible under the laws

23	0   0 legal Privacy Policy

24	0   0 legal permitted by law. «he claimed that it had all been legal» Texas Easy Lien — 5 March 2020

25	0   0 legal Complaints

26	0   0 legal

27	0   0 legal Relating to the law or to lawyers. *en|banned,en|black-market,en|underage

28	0   0 legal A town in Alberta, Canada

29	0   0 legal v=onepage&q&f=false |isbn=9788581742267 |page=157 |publisher=Belas-Letras}} *:Hoje em dia pegam um mané qualquer que seja bonitinho, colocam nele um nome qualquer de qualquer artista do passado que [..]

30	0   0 legal Terms Of Service

31	0   0 legal A computerized database maintained by the NYSE to keep track of enforcement actions, audits, and complaints against member firms. This term is not an acronym but is referred to in capitals.

32	0   0 legal Legal is an album by Brazilian singer-songwriter Gal Costa, released in 1970. The album returns to an accessible style following the experimental previous self-titled album Gal Costa of 1969. Legal is [..]

33	0   0 legal Legal is the second studio album by American rapper Special Ed. It was released on July 19, 1990 via Profile Records. Recording sessions took place at Howie’s Crib in New York. Production was handled [..]

34	0   0 legal Legal matters relate to the system of law governing a society. Legal also may refer to:

35	0   0 legal «Legal» is a song recorded by Canadian reggae singer Snow. It was released in October 2002 as the first single from his 2002 album, Two Hands Clapping.

36	0   0 legal The Legal functional constituency (Chinese: 法律界功能界別) is a functional constituency in the elections for the Legislative Council of Hong Kong first created in 1985. Electors include the me [..]

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‘legal‘ also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):