French word

légal

Pronunciation

IPA/legal/

Meaning

  • adjectivelegal

Example

Le contrat est légal.

The contract is legal.

Illustration for légal (legal)

More examples

Cette activité est légale.

This activity is legal.

Core concept

A document, act, or arrangement standing within the boundaries set by law.

Common phrases

  • contrat légal

    legal contract

  • activité légale

    legal activity

  • est légal

    is legal

Similar words

licite: In compliance with the law and not illegal.
autorisé: Given official permission by an authorized person or institution.
légitime: Justified by valid reasons and accepted as proper.
permis: Allowed because no rule or law forbids it.

Definition in French

Qui est conforme à la loi ou reconnu par le droit comme permis.

Word origin

French légal comes from Latin legalis, formed from lex, meaning law, and passed through Old French before retaining its law-related sense.

Usage tips

  • Légal agrees with the noun: masculine légal becomes féminine légale, and the plural forms are légaux and légales.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word