illegal

¹il·le·gal

adjective \(ˌ)i(l)-ˈlē-gəl\

Definition of ILLEGAL

: not according to or authorized by law : unlawful, illicit; also : not sanctioned by official rules (as of a game)

— il·le·gal·i·ty \ˌi-li-ˈga-lə-tē\ noun

— il·le·gal·ly \(ˌ)i(l)-ˈlē-gə-lē\ adverb

Examples of ILLEGAL

1. In this state, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to drink alcohol.
2. The team was penalized for an illegal play.

Origin of ILLEGAL

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

First Known Use: 1538

Related to ILLEGAL

Synonyms

criminal, felonious, illegitimate, illicit, lawless, unlawful, wrongful

Antonyms

lawful, legal, legitimate

Related Words

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

Near Antonyms

ethical, good, just, principled, right, righteous, virtuous; allowed, permitted; authorized, licensed; approved, endorsed (also indorsed), sanctioned; abetted, encouraged, promoted, suggested, supported; correct, decent, decorous, proper, seemly

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with ILLEGAL

bald eagle, half eagle, porbeagle, sea eagle, spread-eagle, viceregal

²illegal

noun

Definition of ILLEGAL

: an illegal immigrant

First Known Use of ILLEGAL

1939