legend
gb/lˈɛd͡ʒənd/ us/lˈɛd͡ʒənd/
A2
English
~ 4100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Traditional story or myth
An old story told for many years, sometimes mixing real events with made-up parts.
Usage pattern:
a legend about [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'legend' with 'myth', but 'legend' usually involves a real person or place, while 'myth' often explains natural events with gods or magic.
Synonyms
myth (Often refers to a traditional story explaining natural or social phenomena, sometimes with gods or supernatural beings.)
Antonyms
fact (A piece of information that is true and can be proven, unlike a legend which may not be fully true.)
Collocations
ancient legend
|famous legend
|urban legend
|local legend
|myth and legend
Themes
history
|culture
|storytelling
|arts_entertainment
|education
Examples
- The legend of King Arthur has inspired countless books and films.
- According to local legend, the lake is home to a giant creature.
- Many cultures have legends about the creation of the world.
Learner examples
- I read a legend about a dragon.
- People tell a legend about this mountain.
- This is a legend from my country.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Extremely famous or admired person
A person who is very famous and remembered for doing something great.
Usage pattern:
a legend in [field]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'legend' with 'idol'. An 'idol' is someone you personally admire, while a 'legend' is widely recognized by many people.
Synonyms
icon (A person who is greatly admired and represents an important ideal or style.)
Antonyms
unknown (A person who is not known by the public.)
Collocations
football legend
|music legend
|living legend
|become a legend
Themes
fame
|sports
|arts
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- Pele is considered a football legend.
- She became a legend in the fashion industry.
- He is a living legend of jazz music.
Learner examples
- Michael Jordan is a basketball legend.
- She is a legend in science.
- He became a legend after winning many races.
Noun
technical
A2
entity
3
Explanatory list of map symbols
A small table on a map or diagram that shows what the symbols mean.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with 'legend' as a story. In maps, it means an explanation of symbols.
Synonyms
key (Commonly used for maps; refers to the same concept as 'legend' in this sense.)
Collocations
map legend
|chart legend
|diagram legend
Themes
geography
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The legend on this map shows what each color means.
- Check the legend to understand the symbols.
- Without the legend, the diagram is hard to read.
Learner examples
- The map legend shows rivers in blue.
- Look at the legend to find the road signs.
- This chart has a legend for the lines.
Grammar
Dictionary form
legend
IPA
GB/lˈɛd͡ʒənd/
US/lˈɛd͡ʒənd/
Syllables & stress
le - gend (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (le)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: legend
- Plural: legend, legends
Word family
Expressions
legend has it
1/lˈɛd͡ʒənd hˈæz ˈɪt/
fixed phrase
Phrase introducing a traditional story
People say that something happened, but it may not be true.
Examples
- Legend has it that the castle was built overnight.
- Legend has it she still walks these halls at night.
living legend
1/lˈɪvɪŋ lˈɛd͡ʒənd/
fixed phrase
Famous person still alive and admired
A very famous person who is still alive and greatly respected for their work or talent.
Examples
- Serena Williams is considered a living legend in tennis.
- The singer became a living legend after decades of success.
urban legend
1/ˈɚbən lˈɛd͡ʒənd/
fixed phrase
False modern story widely told
A story many people tell that is not true, usually about strange or scary things in modern life.
Examples
- The story about alligators in sewers is just an urban legend.
- There's an urban legend about alligators living in New York sewers.
- He told me an urban legend about a haunted hotel.
- The tale of the haunted hotel is just an urban legend.