legitimate

/lɪˈdʒɪtɪmət/

Syllables le·git·i·mate

Stress le-GIT-i-mate

Phonics Breakdown

le

/lɪ/

short i

git

/dʒɪt/

soft g

i

/ɪ/

short i

mate

/mət/

schwa

Meaning

lawful, valid, or acceptable according to rules or standards

Sound Reference

💡

li=/lɪ/(little) + git=/dʒɪt/(digit) + i=/ɪ/(sit) + mate=/mət/(climate)

Example

She has a legitimate reason for being late.