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Officially vs Legally - What's the difference?

officially | legally |

As adverbs the difference between officially and legally

is that officially is in an official manner while legally is as permitted by law; not contrary to law.

officially

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • In an official manner

    • See also

    * formally

    legally

    English

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • As permitted by law; not contrary to law.
    • You can legally park in the lot on weekends without paying the fee, they won't ticket you.
  • From a legal perspective.
    • Legally , I think you are covered, but there are angry guys with baseball bats outside.

    Antonyms

    * (as permitted by law) illegally

    Usage notes

    * Adjectives to which "legally" is often applied: binding, required, responsible, bound, married, entitled, possible, protected, enforceable, authorized, obligated, valid, invalid, registered, qualified, permitted, defined, mandated, dead, insane, blind, correct, prescribed, obliged, defensible, separated, divorced, wrong, effective, armed, incorporated, impossible.