Legal
adj.thoughtful, capableprofessional
What it means
Permitted by the law or valid under its rules.
Reach for it when making a factual statement about legality without confusing it with fairness or wisdom
The tenants chose a legal method for sharing the cost of the repair.
Choose between these
7- playful
openness and honest dealing matter in an informal account
not when Aboveboard praises transparency but offers no legal conclusion.
- everyday
permitted
a rule or authority explicitly allows the action
not when Permission may come from a private policy rather than legislation.
- professional
authorized
a competent body has granted approval
not when Administrative approval can be withdrawn and answers a different question from legality.
- professional
a claim is valid under accepted rules or authority
not when Legitimate can mean reasonable or genuine even outside law.
- formal
conduct conforms to the applicable law
not when Lawful has a more solemn tone and may imply moral order beyond technical legality.
- formal
statutory
the right or duty arises specifically from enacted law
not when Statutory is narrower than legal and excludes common-law or contractual bases.
- literary
licit
concise elevated wording suits something not forbidden
not when Licit is uncommon and can distract readers who need plain legal guidance.
Said against
4- illegal
- unlawful
- prohibited
- invalid
It naturally appears in
3- legal right
A legal right to translation made the hearing accessible.
- legal route
The association found a legal route to reopen the footpath.
- fully legal
The exchange was fully legal, though the board still reviewed its fairness.