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

Residents in Tasmania’s southern coastal towns now see Neil a few times a year on shore, where he’s legally protected as a vulnerable species. — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Prediction markets can legally operate in Texas because they’re regulated by the federal government rather than under state gambling laws. — Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026

On top of these Medicaid changes, the Administration’s crackdown on immigrants, including those living and working legally in the US, has worsened a serious shortage of direct care workers. — Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

The suit also alleges that the daycare center was not operating legally. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 9 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for legally

• illegally