legitimize

/ləˌdʒɪdəˈmaɪz/

/ləˈdʒɪtɪmaɪz/

Other forms: legitimized; legitimizing; legitimizes

When you legitimize something, you officially approve it, or make it legal. For example, a 1967 Supreme Court case legitimized interracial marriage in the United States.

The verb legitimize is very similar to legalize, although there are some slight differences between the two. When you legalize something, you also legitimize it — it's permitted, or allowed. But when you legitimize something, it doesn't always involve the legal system. For example, your teacher might legitimize open-book tests or your boss could legitimize bringing dogs to work.

Definitions of legitimize

1. verb

   make legal
   synonyms: decriminalise, decriminalize, legalise, legalize, legitimate, legitimatise, legitimatize, legitimise

   types:

   monetise, monetize

   give legal value to or establish as the legal tender of a country

   type of:

   allow, countenance, let, permit

   consent to, give permission