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legit

1 of 2

adjective

le·​git li-ˈjit How to pronounce legit (audio)
Synonyms of legitnext
informal
: legitimate: such as
a
: accordant with law or with established legal forms and requirements
a legit business
Nolan, a retired thief, is 50-ish and legit now, owner of a successful shopping-mall restaurant …Publishers Weekly
Set in Las Vegas in the '70s and '80s, "Casino" shows a mob man … trying to go legit while running a casino, but being dragged back into bloody conflict by a ruthless colleague …Bruce Westbrook
b
: being exactly as intended or presented : not spurious or false
The offer is legit.
"So, I double-checked the e-mail address, which looked legit, and I called the guy, and he seemed legit."Robert Kuttner
also : being an actual example of something specified
Phone addiction is a legit threat on the roads … Cam Fuller
But Betty … even goes out of her way to hurt Veronica by trying to strike up a new friendship with Cheryl Blossom. Cheryl is a legit psycho though and a total creep, so that doesn't last long. Benjamin Bailey
c
: genuinely good, impressive, or capable of success
They have a legit shot at winning the championship.
"She had this bad habit of making all her shots," said Washington coach Phil Chase. "Let's face it. She's legit."USA Today
For all the crap Killington takes, it's still one huge place with plenty of legit terrain and good skiers.Skiing
d
: conforming to recognized principles or accepted rules and standards
He has a legit claim to a rematch.
also : fair or reasonable : valid
a legit question/concern
There's an upside to your discomfort: It's a legit excuse to get a weekly massage. Richard Lalibert

legit

2 of 2

adverb

slang
: really, actually
used for emphasis
"… I got a lot going on, and I don't remember things very well, and I forgot. I legit forgot."Kristen Bell
"I legit tracked down the neighborhood ice cream truck guy and hit him up until he agreed to show on my block the day of the shoot. … "Miss Eaves
"Now, I didn't want to be one of the people disappointed in the finale. But I legit don't know what's happening. It's like they just gave up on a storyline."DeRay Mckesson
"I think we legit overpowered our monitors," country singer Brett Kissel proclaimed late in the evening at the Palomino Smokehouse in downtown Calgary.David Friend

Examples of legit in a Sentence

Adjective What she's doing is perfectly legit. All I want is a legit chance to succeed.
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.
Adjective
That matchup proved to any remaining doubters that the Whitecaps were legit and also fueled worries about Miami’s season. Tom Bogert, New York Times, 30 Nov. 2025 There is no better way for Chicago to prove its 8-3 record is legit than by defeating the defending Super Bowl champs on the road. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 26 Nov. 2025 Headquartered in Fiesta Central, aka Spain, the nonprofit is totally legit, and actually has actual delegates in the United Nations representing folks who work in the nightlife sector. Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 24 Nov. 2025 The project also gives Johansson her first legit horror film in long and successful career. Justin Kroll, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for legit

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1907, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1998, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legit was in 1907

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Cite this Entry

“Legit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legit. Accessed 5 Dec. 2025.

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