Legend — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈle-jənd/ leg·end

Meaning & Definition of Legend

Legend (noun)

  1. a story coming down from the past; especially, one popularly regarded as historical although not verifiable
  2. a collection of such stories
  3. a popular myth of recent origin

Legend (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart

    "the legend indicated that a large circle represented a major city, while a small circle stood for a small town"

    similar: key
    related: scale, caption, guide, table

  2. an explanation or description accompanying a pictorial illustration

    "the legend in the science textbook indicated that the accompanying picture had been enlarged by 1000%"

    similar: caption, cutline
    related: key, closed-captioning, subtitle, translation, motto, posy, slogan, tagline

  3. a traditional but unfounded story that gives the reason for a current custom, belief, or fact of nature

    "some ancient civilizations had legends about spirits that inhabited trees and rocks"

    similar: fable, myth, mythos
    related: allegory, parable, fabrication, fantasy, fiction, figment, invention, narrative, saga, story, tale, yarn

  4. the body of customs, beliefs, stories, and sayings associated with a people, thing, or place

    "that story of how the world came to be has long been part of Native American legend"

    similar: folklore, legendry, lore, myth, mythology, mythos, tradition
    related: folklife, information, knowledge, wisdom, anecdote, fable, folktale, old wives' tale, tale, yarn

Related Entry: Urban legend (noun)

Urban legend is a different word from Legend. The synonyms below are for urban legend, not for legend.

  1. as in word, talk

    similar: buzz, dish, gossip, hearsay, noise, report, rumor, scuttlebutt, talk, tattle, word, tale, whisper, whispering, hint, intimation, rumbling, dirt, scandal, disinformation, propaganda

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Legend

The most common words with a similar meaning to Legend:

key, caption, cutline, fable, myth, mythos, folklore, legendry, lore, mythology, tradition

Related Words for Legend

scale, guide, table, closed-captioning, subtitle, translation, motto, posy, slogan, tagline, allegory, parable, fabrication, fantasy, fiction, figment, invention, narrative, saga, story, tale, yarn, folklife, information, knowledge, wisdom, anecdote, folktale, old wives' tale

Origin & Etymology of Legend

Middle English legende, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French legende, from Medieval Latin legenda, from Latin, feminine of legendus, gerundive of legere to gather, select, read; akin to Greek legein to gather, say, logos speech, word, reason

First known use: circa 1500

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Legend

Words & Phrases Containing Legend

the stuff of legend, urban legend, a legend in one's own time, living legend

Frequently Asked Questions about Legend

What does "Legend" mean?

"Legend" means a story coming down from the past; especially, one popularly regarded as historical although not verifiable. As a noun, it is defined as: a story coming down from the past; especially, one popularly regarded as historical although not verifiable. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Legend"?

Other words for "Legend" include key, caption, cutline, fable, myth, mythos, folklore and legendry. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Legend" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Legend"?

There are 40 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Legend". Common alternatives include key, caption, cutline, fable, myth, mythos, folklore, legendry, lore and mythology.

How do you use "Legend" in a sentence?

Examples of "Legend" in a sentence: "the legend indicated that a large circle represented a major city, while a small circle stood for a small town"; "the legend in the science textbook indicated that the accompanying picture had been enlarged by 1000%"; "some ancient civilizations had legends about spirits that inhabited trees and rocks".

Is "Legend" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Legend" is a noun.

Is "Legend" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Legend" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Legend"?

"Legend" is pronounced /ˈle-jənd/ and divided into syllables as leg·end.

What is the origin of the word "Legend"?

"Legend" comes from Middle English legende, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French legende, from Medieval Latin legenda, from Latin, feminine of legendus, gerundive of legere to gather, select, read; akin to Greek legein to gather, say, logos speech, word, reason. First known use: circa 1500.