lawfully

Everyday

1. In a way that is allowed by the law; legally. tree →
2. (formal) In a way that is properly allowed by rules or official authority. tree →

In the lessons

Used in formal and legal language, in news, and in exam-style texts about rights and rules. In wedding ceremonies people hear «lawfully wedded husband/wife». In civics lessons it describes what citizens or police may do within the law. Phrases: lawfully entitled, lawfully married, act lawfully, lawfully owned.

Examples

• The police can lawfully stop a car that is speeding. tree →
• The land was lawfully bought by the council. tree →
• They were lawfully married in a small church. tree →
• You may lawfully fish here if you have a permit. tree →
• Citizens can lawfully protest in a peaceful way. tree →
• The money was lawfully earned. tree →
• The shop must lawfully display its prices. tree →
• He was lawfully entitled to the reward. tree →
• You ought to know that I can't marry you at such a time, or, at all events, can't marry you lawfully. tree →

Note

Opposite: unlawfully, illegally. Similar: legally. «Lawfully» is more formal than «legally». The adjective is «lawful»; the noun is «law». Spelled with a double l at the end: lawful + ly.