What does legalistic mean?
Word: Legalistic
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Legalistic means sticking too strictly to the exact wording of a law or rule, even when that misses its real purpose or is unfair.
Synonyms: pedantic, nitpicking, rigid
Antonyms: flexible, lenient, easy-going
Word origin: Formed from legal, which comes from Latin legalis, from lex, legis, 'law'.
How do you spell legalistic?
Syllables: le - gal - is - tic
Tricky part: Only one l in the middle, exactly as in the word it grows from. Some students double it (legallistic) because the stress moves to the third syllable.
Watch out for: legallistic, leggalistic, legalisstic
Memory tip: Legal has one l at each end, and the l in the middle of legalistic stays single too: no extra l when the ending is added.
Legalistic in a sentence
Example 1: The umpire took a legalistic view and gave the batter out on a rule nobody had heard of.
Example 2: Mum said refusing to refund a broken toy because the box was opened was a legalistic excuse.
Example 3: Our class rules are short so that nobody can be too legalistic about them.
Fun Fact
The Latin lex, legis also gave English legislate and legitimate. Even loyal belongs to the family: it came through Old French loial from Latin legalis, so at root it is the same word as legal.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Fusion
Choose the two parts that make the word described:
This word describes someone who follows the letter of a rule even when that defeats its purpose. 1. Loyal 2. Legal 3. Pedant 4. estic 5. istic 6. ious
a) 2 and 4
b) 2 and 5
c) 3 and 5
d) 1 and 6
Show answer
b) 2 and 5. Legal takes the ending -istic, the same one heard in realistic and artistic.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with their meanings:
1. legalistic 2. lenient 3. legible a. less strict than expected when dealing with a mistake b. clear enough to be read easily c. caring more about the letter of a rule than its spirit
a) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
b) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c
c) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
d) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
Show answer
a) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b. Legalistic is about the letter of a rule, a lenient teacher goes easy, and legible handwriting can be read.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
iaeltlcsgi
a) quick to forgive people who break the rules
b) insisting on the precise words of a regulation, even when that is unfair
c) sensible about what can really be done
d) connected with the study of words and languages
Show answer
b) insisting on the precise words of a regulation, even when that is unfair. Spot legal among the letters; what is left forms the ending, giving legalistic.
Word Champ
Choose the correct option:
1. A legalistic referee follows the exact words of the rules, even when that seems unfair. 2. Legislation is a set of laws made by a parliament. 3. A legend is a law passed by a king.
a) only 1 and 2 are true
b) all three are true
c) only 1 is true
d) only 2 and 3 are true
Show answer
a) only 1 and 2 are true. A legend is an old traditional story, not a law, so statement 3 is false.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Someone with a legalistic attitude cares most about ___.
a) the feelings of everyone involved
b) finishing the work quickly
c) the exact wording of a rule
d) making the group laugh
Show answer
c) the exact wording of a rule
2. A legalistic club secretary would most likely ___.
a) let members bend the rules on a busy day
b) forget to check the forms at all
c) turn down a form because one box was ticked in blue ink
d) ask members to suggest new rules
Show answer
c) turn down a form because one box was ticked in blue ink
