legitimate
adjectiveUK /lɪˈdʒɪtɪmət/
US /ləˈdʒɪtəmət/
Something legitimate is real and allowed by the rules.
She showed her legitimate ticket at the door.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Being a child of married parents, in old legal use.
The heir was legitimate under the old law.
3. Fair and reasonable, as in a legitimate reason.
He had a legitimate excuse for being late.
4. Real and acceptable in a particular field or activity.
She is a legitimate expert on birds.