Illegal — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /(ˌ)i(l)-ˈlē-gəl/ il·le·gal

Meaning & Definition of Illegal

Illegal (adjective)

  1. not according to or authorized by law, contrary to or in violation of a law, unlawful, illicit; also, not sanctioned by official rules (as of a game)

Illegal (noun)

  1. a person who enters or lives in a country without the documentation required for legal entry or residence

Illegal (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. contrary to or forbidden by law

    "it is illegal to import those birds into this country"

    similar: criminal, felonious, illegitimate, illicit, lawless, unlawful, wrongful
    related: bad, evil, immoral, shameful, sinful, unethical, wicked, wrong, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible, banned, barred, contraband, criminalized, disallowed, discouraged, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, adulterine, bootleg, unauthorized, unlicensed, unsanctioned, under-the-counter, under-the-table, corrupt, unprincipled, unscrupulous, villainous
    opposite: lawful, legal, legitimate
    near: ethical, good, just, principled, right, righteous, virtuous, allowed, permitted, authorized, licensed, approved, endorsed, sanctioned, abetted, encouraged, promoted, suggested, supported, correct, decent, decorous, proper, seemly

  2. not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport

    "an illegal pass"

    similar: dirty, foul, nasty, unfair, unsportsmanlike, below the belt
    related: dishonorable, shabby, shameful, ignoble, low, mean, ungentlemanly, immoral, rotten, unchivalrous, unethical, unjust, unprincipled, unrighteous, unscrupulous
    opposite: clean, fair, legal, sportsmanlike, sportsmanly
    near: just, law-abiding, ethical, moral, principled, righteous, scrupulous, honorable, irreproachable, unimpeachable

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Illegal

The most common words with a similar meaning to Illegal:

criminal, felonious, illegitimate, illicit, lawless, unlawful, wrongful, dirty, foul, nasty, unfair, unsportsmanlike, below the belt

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Illegal

Words with the opposite meaning of Illegal:

lawful, legal, legitimate, clean, fair, sportsmanlike, sportsmanly

Related Words for Illegal

bad, evil, immoral, shameful, sinful, unethical, wicked, wrong, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible, banned, barred, contraband, criminalized, disallowed, discouraged, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, adulterine, bootleg, unauthorized, unlicensed, unsanctioned, under-the-counter, under-the-table

Near Antonyms of Illegal

ethical, good, just, principled, right, righteous, virtuous, allowed, permitted, authorized, licensed, approved, endorsed, sanctioned, abetted, encouraged, promoted, suggested, supported, correct, decent, decorous, proper, seemly, law-abiding, moral, scrupulous, honorable, irreproachable, unimpeachable

Word Forms of Illegal

Inflections: illegals

Derived words: illegality (noun), illegally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Illegal

Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French illegal, from Medieval Latin illegalis, from Latin in- + legalis legal

First known use: 1624

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Illegal

Words & Phrases Containing Illegal

illegal immigrant

Frequently Asked Questions about Illegal

What does "Illegal" mean?

"Illegal" means not according to or authorized by law, contrary to or in violation of a law, unlawful, illicit; also, not sanctioned by official rules (as of a game). As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: not according to or authorized by law, contrary to or in violation of a law, unlawful, illicit; also, not sanctioned by official rules (as of a game). It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Illegal"?

Other words for "Illegal" include criminal, felonious, illegitimate, illicit, lawless, unlawful, wrongful and dirty. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Illegal" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Illegal"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Illegal". Common alternatives include criminal, felonious, illegitimate, illicit, lawless, unlawful, wrongful, dirty, foul and nasty.

What is the opposite of "Illegal"?

Antonyms of "Illegal" include lawful, legal, legitimate, clean, fair, sportsmanlike and sportsmanly. Near antonyms include ethical, good, just and principled.

How do you use "Illegal" in a sentence?

Examples of "Illegal" in a sentence: "it is illegal to import those birds into this country"; "an illegal pass".

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

"Illegal" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

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

As a B1-level word, "Illegal" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Illegal"?

"Illegal" is pronounced /(ˌ)i(l)-ˈlē-gəl/ and divided into syllables as il·le·gal.