legal
gb/lˈiɡəl/ us/lˈiɡəl/
A2
English
~ 800
jogszerű, legális, szabad, törvényes, jogi, jog szerinti, jogilag
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is legal
It is legal to drive at 70 mph on this highway.
Ezen az autópályán szabad 70 mérföld/órával haladni.
Smoking in restaurants is no longer legal here.
Itt már nem legális az éttermi dohányzás.
They are fighting for the legal right to marry.
The sale of the product is legal in most countries.
Learner examples
It is legal to park here.
Itt szabad parkolni.
Drinking alcohol is legal in my country.
Az országomban legális az alkoholfogyasztás.
This game is legal to play.
It is not legal to take that fish.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'legal' with 'legit' or 'legitimate', which can also mean 'reasonable' or 'fair' in non-legal contexts.
Meaning
Allowed by the law
Collocations
legal rights
|legal system
|legal action
|legal advice
|legal status
Synonyms
lawful (Slightly more formal; often used in legal contexts.)
Antonyms
illegal (Direct opposite; means not allowed by law.)
Themes
law
|government
|society
Definition
Allowed by the law of a country or place.
Permitted, recognized, or established by law or official rules.
B1
2
jogi
B1
Usage pattern:
legal [noun]
She works as a legal assistant in a large firm.
Egy nagy ügyvédi irodában dolgozik jogi asszisztensként.
The country has a complex legal system.
Az országnak összetett jogrendszere van.
He is studying for a legal career.
These are legal documents that must be signed.
Learner examples
I want a legal job in a court.
Bíróságon szeretnék jogi állást.
She reads many legal books.
Sok jogi könyvet olvas.
He knows about the legal system.
This is a legal paper.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'lawful', which focuses on being allowed by law rather than being about law itself.
Meaning
Related to the law
Collocations
legal profession
|legal system
|legal process
|legal document
Synonyms
judicial (More formal; specifically refers to courts and judges.)
Antonyms
nonlegal (Not related to the law or its processes.)
Themes
law
|government
|core_vocabulary
Definition
About the law or how it works.
Relating to the law, lawyers, or the legal system.
B2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is legal
She is the legal owner of the property.
Ő az ingatlan törvényes tulajdonosa.
He is their legal guardian.
Ő a törvényes gyámjuk.
The court confirmed her as the legal heir.
Learner examples
He is my legal father.
Jogilag ő az apám.
She is the legal owner of this car.
Ő ennek az autónak a törvényes tulajdonosa.
I am the legal guardian of my sister.
Meaning
Officially recognized as legitimate
Collocations
legal owner
|legal heir
|legal authority
Synonyms
legitimate (Often interchangeable; 'legitimate' can also refer to moral acceptance.)
Antonyms
illegitimate (Not recognized as lawful or proper.)
Themes
law
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Seen as proper or real because it follows rules or laws.
Conforming to established rules or standards and therefore officially acceptable.
Grammar
Dictionary form
legal
IPA
GB/lˈiɡəl/
US/lˈiɡəl/
Syllables & stress
leg - al (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (leg)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: legal
Word family
Expressions
legal advice
1/lˈiɡəl ædvˈaɪs/
fixed phrase
Professional guidance about the law
Help from a lawyer about what the law says you can or cannot do.
Examples
- You should get legal advice before signing the agreement.
- She offered free legal advice to low-income clients.
legal rights
1/lˈiɡəl ɹˈaɪts/
fixed phrase
Rights given by law
The things you are allowed to do because the law says so.
Examples
- Everyone has the same legal rights under the constitution.
- They are fighting for their legal rights in court.
legal status
1/lˈiɡəl stˈætəs/
fixed phrase
Official position under the law
What the law says your position or situation is.
Examples
- They are trying to change their legal status to become permanent residents.
- The new policy affects the legal status of many workers.
legal system
1/lˈiɡəl sˈɪstəm/
fixed phrase
System of laws and courts in a country
How laws and courts are organized in a country.
Examples
- The country's legal system is based on common law.
- Understanding the legal system can be difficult for foreigners.
legal action
1/lˈiɡəl ˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
Process of taking a case to court
Using the law and courts to solve a problem or disagreement.
Examples
- They are threatening legal action over the contract breach.
- The company is considering legal action against its former employee.
- Legal action was taken against the driver.
- They decided to take legal action after the contract was broken.