What does "legend" mean?
The life story of a saint (such stories are often embellished, but any kind is called a legend).
Legend
/ˈlɛd͡ʒ.ənd/ name, noun, verb, slang
name, noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The life story of a saint (such stories are often embellished, but any kind is called a legend).
- Grammar: legend is listed as name, noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: caption, adapa, adventure, adventure story.
- Usage evidence: We are familiar with the legend of Robin Hood.
How to use "legend"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "legend" 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 "legend" 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 "legend" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "legend" 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 "legend" is acting as name, noun, verb, 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 "caption" 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 "legend", 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 life story of a saint (such stories are often embellished, but any kind is called a legend). countable, uncountable
"As a child she had nothing to read but the legends of early Christian martyrs."
- 2 brief description accompanying an illustration wordnet
- 3 An unrealistic story depicting past events.; A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events. countable, uncountable
"The legend of Troy was discovered to have a historical basis."
- 4 a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events wordnet
- 5 An unrealistic story depicting past events.; A plausible story set in the historical past, but whose historicity is uncertain. countable, uncountable
"the legend of Robin Hood"
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 An unrealistic story depicting past events.; A story in which a kernel of truth is embellished to an unlikely degree. countable, uncountable
"The 1984 Rose Bowl prank has spawned many legends. Here's the real story."
- 7 An unrealistic story depicting past events.; A fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records. countable, uncountable
"According to his legend, he once worked for the Red Cross, spreading humanitarian aid in Africa."
- 8 Such stories considered collectively; unverified traditional tales. uncountable
"According to ancient legend, a Greek girl, partaking of saffron for an entire week, could not resist a lover."
- 9 A person related to a legend or legends.; A leading protagonist in a historical legend. countable, uncountable
"Achilles is a legend in Greek culture."
- 10 A person related to a legend or legends.; A person of extraordinary fame or accomplishments. countable, uncountable
"Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball."
- 11 A person related to a legend or legends.; A person of extraordinary fame or accomplishments.; A cool, nice or helpful person, especially one who is male. Australia, Ireland, New-Zealand, UK, colloquial, countable, slang, uncountable
"I've lost my pen! —Here mate, borrow mine. —You legend."
- 12 A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc. countable, uncountable
"According to the legend on the map, that building is a school."
- 13 An inscription, motto, or title, especially one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon a heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration. countable, uncountable
"Further clues are provided by milk-floats bearing the legend 'Lord Rayleigh's Dairies: A Family Business', and a number of signs indicating the whereabouts of various departments of Lord Rayleigh's Farms."
- 14 A musical composition set to a poetical story. countable, uncountable
- 15 The design and specification of a vessel. countable, uncountable
"The legend displacement on the basis then in use was 48,000 tons, the corresponding standard displacement as defined by the Washington Treaty being 47,540 tons."
Verb
- 1 To tell or narrate; to recount. archaic, transitive
"Nor ladie's wanton love , nor wand'ring knight, Legend I out in rymes all richly dight"
Proper Noun
- 1 A male given name.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"We are familiar with the legend of Robin Hood."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "legend"?
Common synonyms include: caption, adapa, adventure, adventure story, adventures, aeronautical chart.
How do you use "legend" in a sentence?
We are familiar with the legend of Robin Hood.
How do you pronounce "legend"?
Pronounced /ˈlɛd͡ʒ.ənd/.
Etymology
From Middle English legende, from Old French legende, from Medieval Latin legenda (“a legend, story, especially the lives of the saints”), from Latin legenda (“things which ought to be read”), from lego (“I read”).