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

For the first time in a decade, hunters armed with rifles and crossbows are fanning out across Florida's swamps and flatwoods to legally hunt the Florida black bear, over the vocal opposition of critics. —CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025

What Happens Next Biden’s autopen pardons are legally final, leaving opponents with political avenues rather than judicial ones. —Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2025

Car insurance is legally required in the majority of places and covers accidental damage, theft and liability. —Alora Bopray, USA Today, 5 Dec. 2025

The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice. —Jolene Almendarez, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for legally

• illegally