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legally

/ˈligəli/
/ˈligəli/
IPA guide

When something is done legally, it follows the rules of law. If a couple has gotten a marriage license and a ceremony's been performed by a judge, they are legally married.

When you act legally, you obey the law. If you're driving a car, legally turning right at a red light generally involves using your turn signal and stopping to make sure the road is clear. When an American turns twenty-one, she's legally considered to be an adult — in other words, the law says that's the age of adulthood. The Latin root of legally is legalis, "pertaining to the law," from lex, or "law."

Definitions of legally
  1. adverb
    by law; conforming to the law
    synonyms: de jure, lawfully
  2. adverb
    in a legal manner
    “he acted legally
Pronunciation
US
/ˈligəli/
UK
/ˈligəli/
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