C1 noun Neutral

legality

/lɪˈɡæl.ə.ti/

Legality refers to the state or quality of being in accordance with the law. It is used to describe whether an action, contract, or situation is permitted by established legal rules and principles.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Many people question the legality of downloading copyrighted material for personal use.

Many people question the legality of downloading copyrighted material for personal use.

2

The court has been asked to rule on the legality of the new executive order concerning immigration.

The court has been asked to rule on the legality of the new executive order concerning immigration.

3

I'm not really sure about the legality of this side hustle, so let's keep it quiet.

I'm not really sure about the legality of this side hustle, so let's keep it quiet.

Word Family

Noun
legality
Verb
legalize
Adverb
legally
Adjective
legal
Related
legalization
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Memory Tip

Think of the root 'Legal' and the suffix '-ity' (which means state or condition). Legality is simply the state of being legal.

Quick Quiz

The defense attorney attempted to challenge the _______ of the evidence obtained during the search.

Correct!

The correct answer is: legality

Examples

1

Many people question the legality of downloading copyrighted material for personal use.

everyday

Many people question the legality of downloading copyrighted material for personal use.

2

The court has been asked to rule on the legality of the new executive order concerning immigration.

formal

The court has been asked to rule on the legality of the new executive order concerning immigration.

3

I'm not really sure about the legality of this side hustle, so let's keep it quiet.

informal

I'm not really sure about the legality of this side hustle, so let's keep it quiet.

4

In jurisprudence, the principle of legality requires that all government action be authorized by law.

academic

In jurisprudence, the principle of legality requires that all government action be authorized by law.

5

Our corporate counsel must verify the legality of the proposed merger before we proceed with the acquisition.

business

Our corporate counsel must verify the legality of the proposed merger before we proceed with the acquisition.

Word Family

Noun
legality
Verb
legalize
Adverb
legally
Adjective
legal
Related
legalization

Common Collocations

question the legality question the legality
ensure legality ensure legality
challenge the legality challenge the legality
principle of legality principle of legality
verify the legality verify the legality

Common Phrases

doubt the legality of

doubt the legality of

test the legality of

test the legality of

clothed in legality

clothed in legality

Often Confused With

legality vs legitimacy

Legality refers strictly to following the letter of the law, while legitimacy refers to being morally or socially acceptable or 'right' in the eyes of the public.

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Usage Notes

The word is most frequently used in legal, political, and business contexts to discuss whether a specific act conforms to the law. It is usually treated as an uncountable noun.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'legality' when they mean 'justice' or 'fairness'; remember that something can be legal (possessing legality) but still be considered unfair.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the root 'Legal' and the suffix '-ity' (which means state or condition). Legality is simply the state of being legal.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle French 'legalité', which comes from the Latin 'legalis', meaning 'pertaining to the law'.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable noun Often followed by the preposition 'of' Can be preceded by adjectives like 'questionable', 'strict', or 'doubtful'

Quick Quiz

The defense attorney attempted to challenge the _______ of the evidence obtained during the search.

Correct!

The correct answer is: legality

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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