legally

adverb

le·​gal·​ly ˈlē-gə-lē How to pronounce legally (audio)
Synonyms of legallynext
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.
Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear. Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026 Marketing for top sportsbooks floods the airwaves and casts a giant net for customers that critics say has lured high schoolers, college kids, as well as those legally allowed to bet. Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026 Lawyers working on their behalf filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, an ancient judicial principle forbidding the government from holding anyone in custody without providing a legally tenable reason for doing so. A.o. Scott, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026 But Fombonne argues this is legally incorrect because the bill cancels future appropriations and future grants, but does not cancel grants that have already been awarded. Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Legally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legally. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

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