1. not allowed by law or rules; illegal
2. not reasonable or acceptable; not valid
3. born to parents who are not married to each other
Usage: dated; potentially offensive

Examples

• The company was accused of illegitimate business practices.
• His claim to the throne was considered illegitimate by many nobles.
• The court ruled that the contract was illegitimate.
• She felt her concerns were dismissed as illegitimate complaints.
• The illegitimate use of company funds led to his dismissal.
• The investigation revealed several illegitimate transactions.