legacy
LEG-uh-see
/ˈleɡ.ə.si/
Something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor from the past.
Can refer to money (an inheritance) or intangible things like a reputation or a set of values.
The story behind the word. In Latin, 'legare' meant to appoint by a last will or to send someone as an official representative (an envoy). This is why we also have the word 'delegate.' A legacy is essentially a message or gift sent from the past to the future.
Word relationships
- inheritance: Inheritance is usually financial; legacy is often about impact and memory.
Commonly confused with
- heritage: Heritage is what you receive from the past; legacy is what you leave for the future.
Word family
- legatee (noun): A person who receives a legacy.
Collocations
- lasting legacy
- leave a legacy
- cultural legacy
Example sentences
- "The president's most enduring legacy will be the landmark environmental protection law." Political speech.
- "She felt a heavy responsibility to uphold her family's legacy of public service." Family history.
Memory hook
A legacy is a 'leg' of history that you stand on. Legacy is what you leave behind.
When not to use
Don't use it for a physical object you just found; it must be intentionally 'left' for the future.
Fun facts
- In college admissions, a 'legacy' student is someone whose parents attended the same school.
Explore more words
Also appears in
- Technology → Technological Obsolescence
- Finance → Philanthropy & Charitable Giving
- Time & History → Preservation & Archiving
- Time & History → Ancestry & Heritage
- Time & History → Commemoration & Remembrances
- Sports, Athletics & Recreation → Olympic & Global Tournaments
- Occasions, Holidays & Parties → Retirement Celebrations
- Student Life & Schooling → Greek Life & Fraternities/Sororities
- Student Life & Schooling → College Alumni & Networking
- Devices & Everyday Tech → Software Updates & Installation
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