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Legitimize: Definition, Examples, and How to Use It (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：make legal (legitimize)
legitimize
/lɪˈdʒɪtɪmaɪz/
vt.
To make something legal or valid according to the law.
make legal
➕
/meɪk ˈliːɡəl/
vt.
To give official legal status to something that was previously not allowed or recognized by law.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'legitimus' (lawful) + '-ize' (to make).
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a judge with a stamp: 'Legit' + 'size' = making something officially big and lawful.
📖 Example
The new government passed a law to legitimize the use of electric scooters on city bike lanes.
The new government passed a law to make the use of electric scooters on city bike lanes legal.
🔗 Collocations
legitimize a practice – to make a practice officially lawful
legitimize a document – to certify a document as legally valid
legitimize a union – to give legal recognition to a partnership
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
outlaw (vt.) – to make something illegal
prohibit (vt.) – to formally forbid something by law
invalidate (vt.) – to make something legally void or null
🌱 Derivatives
legitimized (adj.) – having been made legal or valid
legitimizing (adj.) – that makes something legal or acceptable
legitimization (n.) – the process of making something legal or acceptable
📖 Cultural Story
Legitimize entered English in the 19th century from legal discourse. Its root 'leg-' relates to law, seen in 'legal' and 'legislate'. It is frequently used in debates about social norms and institutional acceptance.
Meaning 2：make acceptable (legitimize)
legitimize
/lɪˈdʒɪtɪmaɪz/
vt.
To make something seem acceptable or reasonable in the eyes of society or a group.
make acceptable
➕
/meɪk əkˈsɛptəbəl/
vt.
To cause something to be regarded as normal, reasonable, or justified within a social or moral framework, even if not strictly legal.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Winning the national championship helped legitimize the school's new focus on competitive robotics in the eyes of many parents.
Winning the national championship helped make the school's new focus on competitive robotics seem acceptable to many parents.
🔗 Collocations
legitimize a concern – to make a worry or issue seem valid and worth addressing
legitimize a lifestyle – to make a way of living appear socially acceptable
legitimize a behavior – to justify a pattern of conduct as normal
🔄 Synonyms
justify (vt.) – to show or prove that something is right or reasonable
rationalize (vt.) – to attempt to explain or justify behavior with logical reasons
normalize (vt.) – to make something usual or standard
🚫 Antonyms
stigmatize (vt.) – to mark someone or something as socially unacceptable
delegitimize (vt.) – to deprive something of legitimacy or acceptance
condemn (vt.) – to express strong disapproval of something
🌱 Derivatives
legitimizing (adj.) – that makes something accepted or justified
legitimacy (n.) – the quality of being acceptable or valid
legitimization (n.) – the act of making something acceptable or justified
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