legally

adverb

le·​gal·​ly ˈlē-gə-lē How to pronounce legally (audio)
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]

Examples of legally in a Sentence

that's not a move that can be made legally in chess
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
International students in the United States legally have been seized and threatened with deportation for free speech or opposing governmental policies. John A. Ragosta, Baltimore Sun, 27 May 2025 Wong curtly told him to read the charter, and other councilors advised him that the referendum legally would have to be before early June. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 26 May 2025 These figures do not include donations to independent expenditure committees, since candidates cannot legally be involved in those efforts. Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025 Indeed, Trump himself has openly castigated judges who have blocked his legally questionable actions. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for legally

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of legally was in 1581

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Cite this Entry

“Legally.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legally. Accessed 31 May. 2025.

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