legally

adverb

le·​gal·​ly ˈlē-gə-lē 

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]

Synonyms of legally

• ethically
• fairly
• morally
• honorably
• fair
• cleanly
• clean

Examples of legally in a Sentence

that's not a move that can be made legally in chess

Recent Examples on the Web

The couple legally married in March 2026 during an intimate ceremony at Conor’s family home in Los Angeles, followed by a family lunch—and then dove headfirst into preparations for their celebrations in Brazil this weekend. — Alexandra MacOn, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2026

Among other requests, the suit also asks the court to declare that the county can legally opt out of the legislation. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026

Prosecutors must establish a legally sufficient connection between the circumstances of naturalization and the grounds for revocation. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026

Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls are legally prohibited from continuing their education beyond primary school. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for legally

• illegally