The difference between Legitimate and Legitimize

When used as verbs, legitimate means to make legitimate, lawful, or valid, whereas legitimize means to make legitimate.

Legitimate is also noun with the meaning: a person born to a legally married couple.

Legitimate is also adjective with the meaning: in accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements.

check bellow for the other definitions of Legitimate and Legitimize

Legitimate as an adjective:

In accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements; lawful.
Legitimate as an adjective:

Conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards; valid.

Examples:

"legitimate reasoning; a legitimate standard or method"
Legitimate as an adjective:

Authentic, real, genuine.

Examples:

"legitimate poems of Chaucer; legitimate inscriptions"
Legitimate as an adjective:

Lawfully begotten, i.e., born to a legally married couple.
Legitimate as an adjective:

Relating to hereditary rights.

Legitimate as a verb (transitive):

To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; especially, to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means.