Legitimate vs. Authentic — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 24, 2024
Legitimate refers to being lawful or acceptable by standards, while authentic relates to genuine originality or truthfulness.
Difference Between Legitimate and Authentic
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Legitimate often conveys legality or conformity to established rules or standards, often used in legal, institutional, or formal contexts. On the other hand, authentic emphasizes genuineness or being true to one's nature or origins, frequently applied to objects, experiences, or personal identities.
Legitimate actions or documents comply with legal frameworks or social norms, ensuring they are officially recognized and valid. Whereas, authentic items or experiences are valued for their originality and lack of imitation or falsification.
In the realm of products, a legitimate product is one that is produced and sold with the proper authority and compliance with regulations. Conversely, an authentic product is one that is not only legally sold but also true to its original manufacturing processes and materials.
In personal or cultural contexts, a person may be considered legitimate in terms of their position or role based on societal structures or legal recognition. On the other hand, a person or cultural expression is deemed authentic if it genuinely represents the individual's or group's inherent traits or historical background.
Legitimate often requires external validation through documentation or authority approval, making sure it adheres to prescribed specifications. Authenticity, however, requires internal consistency and honesty, resonating with factual or original characteristics irrespective of external approvals.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Lawfully recognized or accepted
Genuine, original, and sincere
Context
Legal, formal, institutional
Personal, cultural, historical
Emphasis
Conformity to rules or standards
Originality and lack of imitation
Validation
Requires external confirmation
Internally consistent
Typical Usage
Documents, positions, actions
Products, experiences, expressions
Compare with Definitions
Legitimate
Conforming to the laws or rules.
The company’s operations are legitimate under new regulations.
Authentic
True to its original form or nature.
The museum featured authentic artifacts from ancient Egypt.
Legitimate
Officially recognized or authorized.
He holds a legitimate position in the government.
Authentic
Made or done the same way as the original.
They serve authentic Italian pizza.
Legitimate
Based on logical reasoning; sensible.
His concerns about safety were quite legitimate.
Authentic
Being exactly as purposed without pretension or alteration.
The documentary aims to provide an authentic depiction of rural life.
Legitimate
Born of parents lawfully married to each other.
She is the legitimate heir to the throne.
Authentic
Reflecting sincere and unwavering values.
His speech was heartfelt and authentic.
Legitimate
Justifiable; reasonable.
Her claim to the inheritance is legitimate.
Authentic
Not a copy; genuine.
She owns an authentic Van Gogh painting.
Legitimate
Conforming to the law or to rules
His claims to legitimate authority
Authentic
Of undisputed origin and not a copy; genuine
The letter is now accepted as an authentic document
Legitimate
Able to be defended with logic or justification; valid
A legitimate excuse for being late
Authentic
(of a church mode) containing notes between the final (the principal note) and the note an octave higher.
Legitimate
Constituting or relating to serious drama as distinct from musical comedy, revue, etc.
The legitimate theatre
Authentic
Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief
An authentic account by an eyewitness.
Legitimate
Make lawful or justify
The regime was not legitimated by popular support
Authentic
Being so in fact; not fraudulent or counterfeit
An authentic medieval sword.
Legitimate
Being in compliance with the law; lawful
A legitimate business.
Authentic
(Law) Executed in a manner so as to produce legal effectiveness
An authentic deed.
Legitimate
Being in accordance with established or accepted rules and standards
Legitimate advertising practices.
Authentic
Of, relating to, or being a medieval mode having a range from its final tone to the octave above it.
Legitimate
Valid or justifiable
A legitimate complaint.
Authentic
Of, relating to, or being a cadence with the dominant chord immediately preceding the tonic chord.
Legitimate
Based on logical reasoning
A legitimate deduction.
Authentic
(Obsolete) Authoritative.
Legitimate
Born of legally married parents
Legitimate offspring.
Authentic
Of the same origin as claimed; genuine.
The experts confirmed it was an authentic signature.
Legitimate
Of, relating to, or ruling by hereditary right
A legitimate monarch.
Authentic
Conforming to reality and therefore worthy of trust, reliance, or belief.
The report was completely authentic.
An authentic writer; an authentic portrait; authentic information
Legitimate
Of or relating to drama of high professional quality that excludes burlesque, vaudeville, and some forms of musical comedy
The legitimate theater.
Authentic
Having the final as the lowest note of the mode.
Legitimate
To legitimize.
Authentic
(obsolete) Authoritative.
Legitimate
In accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements.
Authentic
Having a genuine original or authority, in opposition to that which is false, fictitious, counterfeit, or apocryphal; being what it purports to be; genuine; not of doubtful origin; real; as, an authentic paper or register.
To be avengedOn him who had stole Jove's authentic fire.
Legitimate
Conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards; valid.
Legitimate reasoning; a legitimate standard or method
Authentic
Authoritative.
Legitimate
Authentic, real, genuine.
Legitimate poems of Chaucer; legitimate inscriptions
Authentic
Of approved authority; true; trustworthy; credible; as, an authentic writer; an authentic portrait; authentic information.
Legitimate
Lawfully begotten, i.e., born to a legally married couple.
Authentic
Vested with all due formalities, and legally attested.
Legitimate
Relating to hereditary rights.
Authentic
Having as immediate relation to the tonic, in distinction from plagal, which has a correspondent relation to the dominant in the octave below the tonic.
A genuine book is that which was written by the person whose name it bears, as the author of it. An authentic book is that which relates matters of fact as they really happened. A book may be genuine without being, authentic, and a book may be authentic without being genuine.
Legitimate
Belonging or relating to the legitimate theater.
Authentic
An original (book or document).
Legitimate
A person born to a legally married couple.
Authentic
Conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief;
An authentic account by an eyewitness
Reliable information
Legitimate
(transitive) To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; especially, to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means.
Authentic
Not counterfeit or copied;
An authentic signature
A bona fide manuscript
An unquestionable antique
Photographs taken in a veritable bull ring
Legitimate
Accordant with law or with established legal forms and requirements; lawful; as, legitimate government; legitimate rights; the legitimate succession to the throne; a legitimate proceeding of an officer; a legitimate heir.
Legitimate
Lawfully begotten; born in wedlock.
Legitimate
Authorized; real; genuine; not false, counterfe`t, or spurious; as,$legitimate poems of Chaucer; legitimate inscriptions.
Legitimate
Conforming to known principles, or accepted rules; as, legitimate reasoning; a legitimate standard, or method; a legitimate combination of colors.
Tillotson still keeps his place as a legitimate English classic.
Legitimate
Following by logical sequence; reasonable; as, a legitimate result; a legitimate inference.
Legitimate
To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; esp., to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means; as, to legitimate a bastard child.
To enact a statute of that which he dares not seem to approve, even to legitimate vice.
Legitimate
Make legal;
Marijuana should be legalized
Legitimate
Show or affirm to be just and legitimate
Legitimate
Make (an illegitimate child) legitimate; declare the legitimacy of (someone);
They legitimized their natural child
Legitimate
Of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful
Legitimate
In accordance with reason or logic;
A logical conclusion
Legitimate
In accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles;
Legitimate advertising practices
Legitimate
Authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law;
A legitimate government
Common Curiosities
How can authenticity affect consumer choice?
Consumers often prefer authentic products or experiences as they seek genuine quality and originality.
What is the importance of being both legitimate and authentic?
Being both legitimate and authentic enhances trust and credibility, whether in personal identities or in product branding.
Can something be authentic but not legitimate?
Yes, an item or practice can be authentic, reflecting true origins or intentions, but still not be legitimate if it doesn’t conform to specific rules or laws.
Are all authentic products expensive?
Not necessarily; while authentic products often command higher prices due to their genuine qualities, they aren't inherently expensive.
What defines a legitimate business?
A legitimate business is officially registered and complies with all applicable laws and regulations.
Can authenticity be certified?
Authenticity can sometimes be certified through expert analysis or provenance, especially for art and antiques.
What makes a person’s identity authentic?
An authentic identity is one that genuinely reflects an individual’s true personality, beliefs, and history.
Is a legitimate claim always authentic?
Not necessarily; a legitimate claim is legally or socially acceptable, but it might not be sincere or genuine.
How do documents prove legitimacy?
Documents like certificates, licenses, or legal papers confirm legitimacy by meeting set standards or regulations.
Can businesses benefit from being seen as authentic?
Yes, businesses gain loyalty and trust from consumers when perceived as authentic, leading to better customer relationships.
What role does authenticity play in cultural expressions?
Authenticity is crucial in cultural expressions as it maintains the integrity and original characteristics of cultural practices.
Why is legitimacy important in legal contexts?
In legal contexts, legitimacy is essential to ensure compliance with the law, providing a framework for justice and order.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
