# legend

/ˈɫɛdʒənd/ (US) · /lˈɛdʒənd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. traditional story

noun · CEFR B1

an old story from the past that many people know, but which may not be entirely true.

For teachers: a traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated.

- The legend of King Arthur has been told for hundreds of years.
- Local legend suggests that a vast treasure remains buried beneath the ruins of the old castle, though no archaeological evidence has ever been found.

### 2. famous person

noun · CEFR B2

someone who is very famous and admired for being extremely good at what they do.

For teachers: an extremely famous or notorious person, especially in a particular field.

- The retired singer is a living legend in the world of jazz music.
- The late director was a legend of the silver screen, known for his uncompromising vision and technical innovation.

### 3. admirable person

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · British English

a person who is very helpful, kind, or impressive in a specific moment.

For teachers: a person whose actions or character are greatly admired; frequently used as a term of endearment or praise.

- You found my lost keys? You are an absolute legend.
- He is a total legend for staying late to help the rest of the team finish the project before the deadline.

### 4. map key

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

the part of a map or chart that explains what the symbols and colours mean.

For teachers: the explanatory list of symbols on a map or chart.

- Check the legend at the bottom of the map to see which lines represent hiking trails.
- Without a clear legend, the complex geological map was nearly impossible for the students to interpret correctly.

## Examples

- The local legend says a giant lived in these mountains.
- He became a basketball legend after leading his underdog team to three consecutive national championships.
- While the historical accuracy of the account is debated, the legend of the lost city continues to draw thousands of hopeful explorers to the region every decade.

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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.