Legitimate vs. Legit — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 4, 2024
Legitimate is a formal adjective meaning lawful or according to the rules, while legit is its informal equivalent, often used in casual speech.
Difference Between Legitimate and Legit
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Legitimate is typically used in formal contexts or legal discussions to describe something that is lawful, authentic, or justified. On the other hand, legit is a colloquialism that has gained traction in everyday language, particularly among younger speakers, to express authenticity or truthfulness without the formal undertones.
Legitimate often appears in legal, academic, or professional texts, emphasizing its roots in official or established standards. Whereas legit is more likely to be found in informal writing or speech, such as social media posts or casual conversation, reflecting a more relaxed usage.
When discussing credibility, legitimate might describe a business or process that meets all legal criteria. In contrast, legit might be used to quickly assure someone of the reliability of something less formally, like a good deal or a trustworthy recommendation.
In terms of origin, legitimate is derived from the Latin "legitimatus," meaning to make legal. Whereas legit is simply a shortened form of legitimate, demonstrating how language evolves and adapts to cultural shifts and efficiency in communication.
While both terms can sometimes be used interchangeably, choosing between them often depends on the audience. Legitimate is preferred in contexts requiring formality or precision, while legit offers a quicker, more approachable alternative in everyday dialogue.
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Comparison Chart
Formality
Formal, used in legal and official contexts
Informal, common in casual speech
Origin
From Latin "legitimatus," meaning to make legal
Shortened form of legitimate
Usage Context
Legal documents, academic writing, professional speeches
Conversations, social media, informal writing
Tone
Serious, authoritative
Relaxed, approachable
Perceived Authority
High, suggests compliance with laws or standards
Lower, more about perception than legal standing
Compare with Definitions
Legitimate
Born of parents lawfully married to each other.
She is the legitimate heir to the throne.
Legit
Honest, conforming to the rules.
His reasons for being late were totally legit.
Legitimate
Conforming to the law or to rules.
Their business operations are entirely legitimate.
Legit
Awesome, excellent.
The concert last night was totally legit.
Legitimate
Justifiable under the circumstances.
He claimed that his actions were legitimate.
Legit
Of good quality or condition; acceptable.
The deal they offered was pretty legit.
Legitimate
Can be logically deduced.
The conclusion is legitimate given the premises.
Legit
Legally acceptable or authorized.
She showed me her legit ID card.
Legitimate
Authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law;
A legitimate government
Legit
Genuine, real, not counterfeit.
That's a legit Rolex, not a fake.
Legitimate
Conforming to the law or to rules
His claims to legitimate authority
Legit
Legitimate.
Legitimate
Able to be defended with logic or justification; valid
A legitimate excuse for being late
Legit
A legitimate; a legitimate actor.
Legitimate
Constituting or relating to serious drama as distinct from musical comedy, revue, etc.
The legitimate theatre
Legit
(slang) A legitimate child.
Legitimate
Make lawful or justify
The regime was not legitimated by popular support
Legit
(informal) Legitimate; legal; allowed by the rules; valid.
Legitimate
Being in compliance with the law; lawful
A legitimate business.
Legit
(video games) Not using cheats.
Did you see how fast that person was moving? I don't think they're legit.
Legitimate
Being in accordance with established or accepted rules and standards
Legitimate advertising practices.
Legit
Genuine, actual, literal or honest.
Legitimate
Valid or justifiable
A legitimate complaint.
Legit
(slang) Genuinely good and possessing all the required or expected qualities; the real deal.
I checked out her portfolio. She's legit.
Legitimate
Based on logical reasoning
A legitimate deduction.
Legit
(slang) Cool by virtue of being genuine.
Legitimate
Born of legally married parents
Legitimate offspring.
Legit
(informal) Legitimately; within the law.
Legitimate
Of, relating to, or ruling by hereditary right
A legitimate monarch.
Legit
(slang) Honestly; truly; seriously.
He legit thinks he can pass the test on zero sleep.
That legit scared the hell out of me.
Legitimate
Of or relating to drama of high professional quality that excludes burlesque, vaudeville, and some forms of musical comedy
The legitimate theater.
Legitimate
To legitimize.
Legitimate
In accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements.
Legitimate
Conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards; valid.
Legitimate reasoning; a legitimate standard or method
Legitimate
Authentic, real, genuine.
Legitimate poems of Chaucer; legitimate inscriptions
Legitimate
Lawfully begotten, i.e., born to a legally married couple.
Legitimate
Relating to hereditary rights.
Legitimate
Belonging or relating to the legitimate theater.
Legitimate
A person born to a legally married couple.
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.
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
Common Curiosities
Is there a difference in usage between legitimate and legit?
Yes, legitimate is used in more formal or legal contexts, while legit is used informally.
What does legit mean?
Legit is a colloquial term that means genuine or real, used informally.
What does legitimate mean?
Legitimate means conforming to the law or rules, often used in formal contexts.
Why is it important to distinguish between legitimate and legit?
The distinction is important in terms of formality and context in communication.
Is using legit in academic essays acceptable?
It is recommended to use legitimate in academic contexts for clarity and formality.
Can legitimate and legit be used interchangeably?
In casual conversation, they might be used interchangeably, but in formal writing, legitimate is preferable.
What makes an argument legitimate?
An argument is legitimate if it is logically sound and based on established facts.
How has the usage of legit evolved over time?
Over time, legit has evolved from slang to more widespread informal usage.
Can I use legit in professional writing?
It's best to use legitimate in professional or formal writing, as legit is considered informal.
How does the perception of legit differ among age groups?
Younger people are more likely to use and accept legit in everyday language.
Is legit recognized in formal dictionaries?
Yes, legit is recognized in modern dictionaries as an informal variant of legitimate.
How do perceptions of legitimacy affect business?
Businesses perceived as legitimate are often trusted more by consumers and regulatory bodies.
What role does legitimate play in legal contexts?
In legal contexts, legitimate indicates adherence to laws and can impact legal outcomes.
Are there instances where legit is more appropriate than legitimate?
In casual conversations or when relating to younger audiences, legit may be more appropriate.
What are examples of legitimate in a sentence?
A legitimate concern is one that is well-founded and acceptable within professional discourse.
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Written 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.
Co-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.
