noun · academic
legitimacy
UK/lɪˈdʒɪtɪməsi/US/lɪˈdʒɪtəməsi/le·git·IM·a·cy
the quality of being accepted as right and proper, often by law or by public opinion.
Examples
“The regime sought to increase its legitimacy through social reforms.”
“Elections give governments political legitimacy.”
“Without legitimacy, a policy may face widespread resistance.”
Band 8 sentence
“International observers often assess not only whether elections are free and fair, but whether they confer genuine legitimacy on the winners.”
Collocations
- political legitimacy
- gain legitimacy
- question legitimacy
Word family
Common mistakes
the legitimacy of government→the political legitimacy of the government
gain legitimity→gain legitimacy
Say it for a higher band
5acceptance→6validity→7+legitimacy
Synonyms
validity
authenticity
Easily confused
validity
“The validity of the contract was confirmed by a court.”
Related words
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In Society & Government
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