Words / C1

il-uh-JIT-uh-m-uh-t/ˌɪləˈdʒɪtəmət/

Illegitimate means not allowed by law or rules; formerly, of a child, born to unmarried parents: illegitimate authority, an illegitimate waiver. Illegal is everyday and close; a napkin scrawl is not a certificate.

Meaning

Not allowed by law or rules; formerly, born to unmarried parents.

Examples

• “An illegitimate waiver scrawled on a napkin is not a fire certificate.”
• “Illegal is everyday. Unlawful is already in this course. A napkin is paper from lunch. A certificate is a number. Keep the certificate; bin the napkin.”

Good to know

Not lawful or not properly authorised. Everyday: illegal. A napkin ≠ a fire certificate.

Near in meaning

unlawful

New