legend

An old story about people or events that may not be true.

• My grandmother told me an old legend.
• The castle appears in many local legends.
• According to legend, a dragon lived in this cave.

How to use it: legend of someone/something (The guide told us the legend of the sleeping king.)

Similar words: traditional story, tale

Common phrases: ancient legend, local legend, legend of someone, legend of something

Someone who is very famous and admired for exceptional achievements.

• She is a legend in tennis.
• Two music legends performed together last night.
• That goal made him a local legend.

Similar words: icon, great

Common phrases: living legend, football legend, become a legend

A list that explains the symbols or colours used on a map or chart.

• The legend explains the map symbols.
• Check the legend to see what the blue dots mean.
• This chart needs a clearer legend.

Similar words: key

Common phrases: map legend, chart legend, read the legend

A partly true account that people have made grander or more exciting.

• His small victory grew into a legend.
• The legend of her escape hides several ordinary facts.
• Over time, the simple rescue became an elaborate legend.

Similar words: embellished story

Common phrases: grow into legend, fact and legend, become a legend

A written account of the life of a holy person in Christianity.

• The monk copied a legend of the saint.
• These medieval legends describe several miracles.
• She studied the legend of an early Christian martyr.

Similar words: saint’s life, hagiography

Common phrases: legend of someone, medieval legend, saintly legend