Words / C1

LEG-uh-see/ˈleɡəsi/

A legacy is what a person, period, or system leaves behind: a lasting legacy, legacy software (old systems still running). Inheritance is the money/property cousin; heritage is culture. Legal is a lookalike. Do not call a broken portal “heritage” to make it sound charming.

Meaning

Something left by a person or period; also old software or systems still in use.

Examples

• “The legacy portal timed out every Monday at nine.”
• “Inheritance is often money. Heritage is cultural. A legacy system is IT English for old-but-still-live. Legal is “of the law”. Charming brick does not excuse a timeout.”

Good to know

What is left behind (including old systems). Close: inheritance / heritage. Mix-up: legal. IT: legacy software. Old is not automatically charming.

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