Illegitimate vs. Illegal: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || 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.
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.
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.
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.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Broad, may include social norms
Specifically legal
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Grammatical
Adjective
Adjective
Context
Legal, social, or moral
Strictly legal
Subjectivity
Can be more subjective
Typically objective
Interchange
May be used interchangeably
Not always interchangeable
Illegitimate and Illegal Definitions
Illegitimate
Lacking validity or recognition.
His illegitimate claim to the throne was ignored.
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Illegal
Against the rules.
His actions were deemed illegal by the committee.
Illegitimate
Born out of wedlock.
He was an illegitimate child of the affair.
Illegal
Unlawful.
Illegal fishing depletes natural resources.
Illegitimate
Not conforming to accepted standards.
The study was based on illegitimate methods.
Illegal
Criminal.
Illegal hacking is a federal crime.
Illegitimate
Not authorized by law.
The court deemed the contract illegitimate.
Illegal
Forbidden by law.
Illegal drugs are a serious offense.
Illegitimate
Unlawfully constituted.
The coup led to an illegitimate government.
Illegal
Prohibited by law.
Illegitimate
Being against established or accepted rules and standards
An illegitimate means of winning a debate.
Illegal
Prohibited by official rules
An illegal pass in football.
Illegitimate
Being against the law; illegal
An illegitimate contract.
Illegal
Unacceptable to or not performable by a computer
An illegal operation.
Illegitimate
Not valid or defensible
Their reasons for missing school are illegitimate.
Illegal
A person who is not legally authorized to live and work in a country.
Illegitimate
Incorrectly deduced; illogical
An illegitimate conclusion.
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.
Illegitimate
(Biology) Unacceptable as a scientific name because of not conforming to the international rules of nomenclature.
Illegal
Breaching certain enacted statutes of positive law; not lawful, not legal (cf. immoral, unethical)
Illegitimate
(Offensive) Born to parents not married to each other.
Illegal
Forbidden by established rules.
Moving a pawn backward is an illegal move in chess.
Illegitimate
Not conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards.
Illegal
Totally fictitious, and often issued on behalf of a non-existent territory or country.
Illegitimate
Not in accordance with the law.
Illegal
Being or doing something illegally.
Illegal immigrant
Illegal logger
Illegal pilot
Illegitimate
Not sanctioned by marriage.
Illegal
Being an illegal immigrant; residing in a country illegally.
Illegitimate
Born to unmarried parents.
An illegitimate child
Illegal
(obsolete) An illegal act or technique.
Illegitimate
(dated) Having a child or children with a person to whom one is not married.
Illegal
Contraband, esp. illegal substances such as drugs.
Illegitimate
Not correctly deduced.
An illegitimate inference
Illegal
An illegal immigrant.
Illegitimate
Not authorized by good usage; not genuine.
An illegitimate word
Illegal
(espionage) A spy working abroad illegally and undercover, without visible ties to his or her country’s authorities.
Illegitimate
(botany) Involving the fertilization of pistils by stamens not of their own length, in heterogonously dimorphic and trimorphic flowers.
Illegitimate union; illegitimate fertilization
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.
Illegitimate
A person born to unmarried parents.
Illegal
Prohibited by law or by official or accepted rules;
An illegal chess move
Illegitimate
(transitive) To make illegitimate.
Illegal
Not permitted.
Illegal parking is subject to fines.
Illegitimate
Not according to law; not regular or authorized; unlawful; improper.
Illegitimate
Unlawfully begotten; born out of wedlock; bastard; as, an illegitimate child.
Illegitimate
Not legitimately deduced or inferred; illogical; as, an illegitimate inference.
Illegitimate
Not authorized by good usage; not genuine; spurious; as, an illegitimate word.
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.
Illegitimate
The illegitimate offspring of unmarried parents
Illegitimate
Contrary to or forbidden by law;
An illegitimate seizure of power
Illicit trade
An outlaw strike
Unlawful measures
Illegitimate
Of marriages and offspring; not recognized as lawful
FAQs
Is Illegitimate only a legal term?
No, Illegitimate can extend to social and moral contexts.
How do Illegitimate and Illegal differ?
Illegitimate is broader, while Illegal is specific to legal violations.
What is Illegitimate?
Illegitimate means lacking legality, validity, or recognition.
What is Illegal?
Illegal specifically means a violation of law.
Is Illegal only a legal term?
Yes, Illegal specifically refers to legal matters.
Are both terms adjectives?
Yes, both Illegitimate and Illegal are adjectives.
Can Illegitimate and Illegal be used interchangeably?
Sometimes, but they have nuanced differences.
Is every Illegal action Illegitimate?
Generally, yes, Illegal actions are also Illegitimate.
Can a person be Illegitimate?
In historical contexts, a child born out of wedlock may be called Illegitimate.
Is Illegal an objective term?
It is generally more objective, as it refers to law.
Is Illegitimate a subjective term?
It can be subjective, depending on the context.
What's a synonym for Illegal?
"Criminal" is a synonym for Illegal.
Can a person be Illegal?
The term "illegal" should not be used to describe a person; instead, use "undocumented."
Is every Illegitimate action Illegal?
No, some actions can be Illegitimate but not Illegal.
What's a synonym for Illegitimate?
"Unlawful" could be considered a synonym.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
