Legit
/lɪˈdʒɪt/
adjectiveadverbnounB2
Definition
"Legit" is a short, informal way to say "legitimate," meaning real, honest, or legal. It can describe a person, thing, or action that is accepted as true or correct. People often use it to show approval or trust.
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See It in Action
Real, honest, or true (adjective)
- •That website is legit, so you can buy from it safely.
- •She gave a legit reason for being late.
- •His story about the accident was totally legit.
Official or legal (adjective)
- •The company has legit papers to operate.
- •You need legit ID to enter the club.
Used informally to mean very good or impressive (adverb, adjective)
- •That skateboard trick was legit amazing!
- •He’s a legit player on the team.
(noun, informal) A person or thing that is legitimate or trustworthy
- •Don’t worry, he’s a legit in the business.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "legit" like "real" (A1 word), but with a feeling of being official or honest, not fake or wrong
- ✓Picture a badge or stamp that shows something is approved or true—"legit" means it has that stamp
- ✓It's the feeling when you trust a friend or believe a story because it seems honest and true
- ✓Sounds like "lee-JIT" → imagine a judge saying "This is legit!" to approve something important
- ✓Think of a time when someone said, "That's legit!" to mean "That's really good or true"
- ✓NOT like "fake" (not real or honest); "legit" means the opposite, something you can trust
- ✓NOT like "maybe" (uncertain); "legit" means sure and accepted
- ✓NOT like "illegal" (against the law); "legit" means allowed by law or rules
- ✓NOT like "fake" or "fake news"; "legit" means true and trustworthy
Try Other Words
- •Authentic: real and genuine (Use when emphasizing something is original or not copied)
- •Legal: allowed by law (Use when talking about rules or laws)
- •Genuine: truly what it is claimed to be (Use when stressing honesty or truth)
- •Valid: accepted as true or correct (Use in formal or official contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: Short form of "legitimate" (dropping the ending "-imate")
- •Etymology: From Latin "legitimus" meaning lawful or according to law, through English "legitimate"
- •Historical development: "Legitimate" has been used in English since the 14th century; "legit" as slang started in the 20th century, becoming popular in informal speech and online language
- •Modern usage: Common in spoken English and informal writing to mean real, honest, or official; often used by younger speakers and online communities
- •Key insight: "Legit" is a casual, shorter way to say something is trustworthy or approved, often replacing the longer "legitimate"
Reflect & Connect
•How does using "legit" instead of "legitimate" change the tone of a conversation?
•Can something be "legit" but still not be good? How would you explain that?
Fill in the blanks
1.People say something is legit when they believe it is ___ and not fake.
2.You need to show ___ ID if you want to prove you are allowed to enter.
3.When someone says a story is legit, they mean it is ___ and honest.
4.Unlike fake products, legit items come with a ___ guarantee or proof.
5.The skateboarder's performance was so ___ that everyone applauded loudly.
6.You should check if a website is legit before you ___ your personal information.
7.Saying "That's legit!" usually shows a strong ___ or approval of something.