# legalize

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈliːɡəlaɪz/ · frequency rank #20,688

## Definitions
1. To make legal or permit under law. Either by decriminalising something that has been illegal or by specifically permitting it.

## Etymology
From legal + -ize. Piecewise doublet of loyalize.

## Easily confused with
- **legality** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/legality-vs-legalize)

## Common misspellings (11)
`elgalize`, `leaglize`, `legailze`, `legaliez`, `legalizze`, `legallize`, `legalzie`, `leggalize`, `leglaize`, `lgealize`, `llegalize`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/legalize