Illegitimate vs. Illegal: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on October 27, 2023
Illegitimate refers to something that is not authorized or recognized by law or societal norms, while Illegal explicitly means a violation of the law. Both terms imply lack of validity but operate in different realms.
Key Differences
Illegitimate generally means lacking legality, validity, or recognition. It is a term that could be applied to a wide range of subjects, from children born out of wedlock to an illegitimate claim. Illegal, however, specifically implies a breach of law. While both terms are often used in a legal context, Illegitimate can extend beyond legal boundaries into social or moral spheres.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
From a grammatical standpoint, both Illegitimate and Illegal are adjectives. However, Illegal is often used in contexts directly involving law enforcement or the judiciary. For instance, "illegal drugs" refers to substances prohibited by law. In contrast, "illegitimate means" could refer to methods that are not only against the law but may also violate ethical or societal norms.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Illegitimate and Illegal can sometimes be used interchangeably, but they have nuanced differences. For example, a business action can be illegitimate if it violates ethical norms, even if no law specifically forbids it. On the other hand, an action is illegal only if it violates a specific law. Therefore, while all illegal activities are essentially illegitimate, not all illegitimate activities are necessarily illegal.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Another key difference lies in their usage in everyday language. The term Illegal is often far more straightforward, implicating a clear breach of established laws. Illegitimate, however, can be more subjective, often requiring context for clarification. For instance, calling a government "illegitimate" may require examination of legal, ethical, and social considerations, while declaring an action "illegal" typically only involves the legal aspect.
Janet White
Oct 27, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Illegitimate and Illegal Definitions
Illegitimate
Lacking validity or recognition.
His illegitimate claim to the throne was ignored.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 19, 2023
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Illegitimate
Not conforming to accepted standards.
The study was based on illegitimate methods.
Harlon Moss
Sep 19, 2023
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Illegitimate
Not authorized by law.
The court deemed the contract illegitimate.
Janet White
Sep 19, 2023
Illegitimate
Unlawfully constituted.
The coup led to an illegitimate government.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 19, 2023
Illegitimate
Being against established or accepted rules and standards
An illegitimate means of winning a debate.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegal
Unacceptable to or not performable by a computer
An illegal operation.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegitimate
Not valid or defensible
Their reasons for missing school are illegitimate.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegal
A person who is not legally authorized to live and work in a country.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegal
Contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law.
This is illegal, you know!
Nearly 40 million people live in UK areas with illegal air pollution
Their illegal mining operations in Asia, Africa and elsewhere, are protected by officials and police paid to look the other way – and powerful customers in the construction industry who prefer not to ask too many questions.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegitimate
(Biology) Unacceptable as a scientific name because of not conforming to the international rules of nomenclature.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegal
Breaching certain enacted statutes of positive law; not lawful, not legal (cf. immoral, unethical)
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegal
Forbidden by established rules.
Moving a pawn backward is an illegal move in chess.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegitimate
Not conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegal
Totally fictitious, and often issued on behalf of a non-existent territory or country.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegal
Being or doing something illegally.
Illegal immigrant
Illegal logger
Illegal pilot
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegitimate
(dated) Having a child or children with a person to whom one is not married.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegal
(espionage) A spy working abroad illegally and undercover, without visible ties to his or her country’s authorities.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegitimate
(botany) Involving the fertilization of pistils by stamens not of their own length, in heterogonously dimorphic and trimorphic flowers.
Illegitimate union; illegitimate fertilization
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegal
Not according to, or authorized by, law; specif., contrary to, or in violation of, human law; unlawful; illicit; hence, immoral; as, an illegal act; illegal trade; illegal love.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegal
Prohibited by law or by official or accepted rules;
An illegal chess move
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegitimate
Not according to law; not regular or authorized; unlawful; improper.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegitimate
Unlawfully begotten; born out of wedlock; bastard; as, an illegitimate child.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegitimate
Not legitimately deduced or inferred; illogical; as, an illegitimate inference.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegitimate
Not authorized by good usage; not genuine; spurious; as, an illegitimate word.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegitimate
To render illegitimate; to declare or prove to be born out of wedlock; to bastardize; to illegitimatize.
The marriage should only be dissolved for the future, without illegitimating the issue.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
Illegitimate
Contrary to or forbidden by law;
An illegitimate seizure of power
Illicit trade
An outlaw strike
Unlawful measures
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 17, 2023
FAQs
Is Illegitimate only a legal term?
No, Illegitimate can extend to social and moral contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
How do Illegitimate and Illegal differ?
Illegitimate is broader, while Illegal is specific to legal violations.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
What is Illegitimate?
Illegitimate means lacking legality, validity, or recognition.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Is Illegal only a legal term?
Yes, Illegal specifically refers to legal matters.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Can Illegitimate and Illegal be used interchangeably?
Sometimes, but they have nuanced differences.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Is every Illegal action Illegitimate?
Generally, yes, Illegal actions are also Illegitimate.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 27, 2023
Can a person be Illegitimate?
In historical contexts, a child born out of wedlock may be called Illegitimate.
Harlon Moss
Oct 27, 2023
Is Illegal an objective term?
It is generally more objective, as it refers to law.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Is Illegitimate a subjective term?
It can be subjective, depending on the context.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Can a person be Illegal?
The term "illegal" should not be used to describe a person; instead, use "undocumented."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Is every Illegitimate action Illegal?
No, some actions can be Illegitimate but not Illegal.
Janet White
Oct 27, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
