# legally

/ˈɫiɡəɫi/ (US) · /lˈiːɡəli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/legally
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. permitted by law

adverb · CEFR B1

in a way that is allowed by the law.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. from a legal perspective

adverb · CEFR B2

used to describe a situation based on what the law says.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- You are legally required to wear a seatbelt.
- The contract was signed and witnessed, making the agreement legally binding for both parties.
- While the company acted ethically in the eyes of the public, it was not legally obligated to provide compensation to the affected residents under current statutes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.