according to law; lawful

the property's legitimate owner.

in accordance with established rules, principles, or standards.

born in wedlock or of legally married parents

legitimate children.

in accordance with the laws of reasoning; logically inferable; logical

a legitimate conclusion.

resting on or ruling by the principle of hereditary right

a legitimate sovereign.

not spurious or unjustified; genuine

It was a legitimate complaint.

of the normal or regular type or kind.

Theater . of or pertaining to professionally produced stage plays, as distinguished from burlesque, vaudeville, television, motion pictures, etc.

an actor in the legitimate theater.

to make lawful or legal; pronounce or state as lawful

Parliament legitimated his accession to the throne.

to establish as lawfully born

His bastard children were afterward legitimated by law.

to show or declare to be legitimate or proper

He was under obligation to legitimate his commission.

to justify; sanction or authorize

His behavior was legitimated by custom.

the legitimate, the legitimate theater or drama.

a person who is established as being legitimate.

adjective

illegal , illegitimate , invalid , unlawful , unwarranted

adjective

accepted , accredited , acknowledged , admissible , appropriate , authorized , canonical , certain , cogent , consistent , correct , customary , fair , genuine , innocent , just , justifiable , lawful , licit , logical , natural , normal , official , on the level , on the up and up , orthodox , probable , proper , real , reasonable , received , recognized , regular , reliable , rightful , sanctioned , sensible , sound , statutory , sure , true , typical , usual , verifiable , warranted , well-founded , legal , authentic , square , valid

verb

legitimatize , legitimize