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

Benson's attorney, Jamie Hubbard, said the prosecution was both legally flawed and politically troubling. —Brian Maass, CBS News, 9 May 2026

According to The Athletic, Cruz, in the country legally with a work visa, was driving a vehicle that carried two immigrants in the country illegally. —Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026

Most bird nests are legally protected, so if eggs or chicks are present, leave the nest undisturbed until the birds move on. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 9 May 2026

Kimi Antonelli is too young to legally buy a drink in the US, said Giles Richards in The Guardian. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 8 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for legally

• illegally