What does "legal" mean?
The legal department of a company or organization.
Legal
/ˈliː.ɡəl/ adj, name, noun, slang
adj, name, noun, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The legal department of a company or organization.
- Grammar: legal is listed as adj, name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: acceptable, actionable, adjective of evidence, administrative.
- Useful contrasts: adulterine, bad, criminal activity.
- Usage evidence: Your conduct is perfectly legal.
How to use "legal"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "legal" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "legal" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "legal" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "legal" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "legal" is acting as adj, name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "acceptable" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "legal", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The legal department of a company or organization. informal, uncountable
"Legal wants this in writing."
- 2 A spy who is attached to, and ostensibly employed by, an embassy, military outpost, etc. countable
- 3 One who immigrated lawfully. US, countable, informal
- 4 A paper sheet or document measuring 8+¹⁄₂ × 14 inches (216 × 356 mm). Canada, US, uncountable
Adjective
- 1 Relating to the law or to lawyers.
"legal profession"
- 2 Having its basis in the law.
"legal precedent"
- 3 Being established, permitted, required or prescribed by law.
"legal motion"
- 4 Following the rules or syntax of a system, such as a game or a programming language.
"If you have no legal move, but are not in check the game is a draw."
- 5 Above the age of consent or the legal drinking age. informal
""Is she even legal? Shame on you, diddlin' a girl too young to buy beer. You being a church deacon and all." If looks could kill, Dale would be dead."
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 Permitting the use and/or sale of cannabis; in which cannabis is lawful.
"Whether you're interested in opening a retail marijuana store in a legal state or if you're interested in investing in someone or a company, which is operating in a legal state, there are[…]"
- 7 Of paper or document layouts, measuring 8+¹⁄₂ × 14 inches (216 × 356 mm). Canada, US
- 8 Of paper or document layouts, measuring 8+¹⁄₂ × 13 inches (216 × 330 mm). Philippines
Adjective
- 1 allowed by official rules wordnet
- 2 established by or founded upon law or official or accepted rules wordnet
- 3 having legal efficacy or force wordnet
- 4 of or relating to jurisprudence wordnet
- 5 relating to or characteristic of the profession of law wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A town in Alberta, Canada.
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Your conduct is perfectly legal."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "legal"?
Common synonyms include: acceptable, actionable, adjective of evidence, administrative, admiralty, admissible.
How do you use "legal" in a sentence?
Your conduct is perfectly legal.
How do you pronounce "legal"?
Pronounced /ˈliː.ɡəl/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Learned borrowing from Latin lēgālis (“legal”), from lēx (“law”). Doublet of loyal and leal.
Etymology 2
Named in honour of Bishop Émile-Joseph Legal.