legally

adverb

le·​gal·​ly ˈlē-gə-lē How to pronounce legally (audio)
1
: in a legal manner : in accordance with the law
a transfer that was not done legally
a drug that can now be legally bought and sold in many countries
2
: from the point of view of law
Legally, she had no claim to the estate.
They were not legally obligated to provide assistance.
a person who is legally blind [=who is blind according to the legal definition of blindness]
legally drunk [=drunk according to the legal definition of drunkenness]

Examples of legally in a Sentence

that's not a move that can be made legally in chess
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That policy applied even in states where open carry was legally allowed at the time. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025 Nunes’ struggles to find appropriate support — legally and socially — leading her to create the eponymous NGO to help families facing similar issues while raising trans children. Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 11 Oct. 2025 The ink is barely dry on Filip Gustavsson’s extension, but even though his signature is legible and that $34 million over five years starting next season is guaranteed and legally binding, Gustavsson still had butterflies heading into Thursday’s opener. Michael Russo, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025 The only exception is for Brits who are legally resident in the EU, or covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for legally

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of legally was in 1581

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Legally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legally. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on legally

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!