Word
legally
Phoneticslegal·ly
US/ˈɫiɡəɫi/
UK/lˈiːɡəli/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01permitted by law
B1 · Intermediate Law
adv. in a way that is allowed by the law.
adv. in a manner that conforms to the law or is permitted by statute.
“The company is legally required to protect your personal data.”
“The contract was signed and witnessed, making the agreement legally binding for both parties involved in the merger.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02from a legal perspective
B2 · Upper Intermediate Law
adv. used to describe a situation based on what the law says.
adv. from a legal standpoint or according to the interpretation of the law.
“Legally, they are still married even though they live in different countries.”
“Legally speaking, the defendant had no obligation to disclose his previous employment history during the initial interview process.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “legally” in context.
Etymology
From legal + -ly. Piecewise doublet of leally and loyally.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/legally