legal
UK: ˈliːɡ(ə)l | US: ˈliːɡəl
adj. relating to or permitted by law
adj. conforming to established rules or standards
n. a person who is legally qualified (archaic)
legal = leg<law> + al<adjective suffix>
- leg (from Latin lex, legis meaning "law")
- al (Latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, meaning "pertaining to")
Etymology Origin:
The word legal traces back to Latin legalis, derived from lex (law). The root leg- appears in many law-related terms (e.g., legislation, legitimate). The suffix -al was adopted into English via Old French, turning nouns into adjectives. Over time, legal evolved to broadly describe anything conforming to formal rules, not just statutes.
The contract was reviewed to ensure it was legally binding.
She sought legal advice before starting her business.
His actions were technically legal but ethically questionable.
The document must meet all legal requirements to be valid.
In some countries, gambling is not legal.