illegal Meaning & Definition
What Does Illegal Mean?
Illegal is used as an adjective meaning Contrary to, forbidden, or not authorized by law, especially criminal law. It can also mean Forbidden by established rules. As a noun, it means An illegal act or technique. As a noun, it means (plural, as illegals) Contraband, esp. illegal substances such as drugs.
Quick Facts About Illegal
| Part of speech | adjective, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ɪˈliːɡəl// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | black, hot and dirty |
| Antonyms | legal and lawful |
| Plural | illegals |
| Comparative / superlative | more illegal, most illegal |
Illegal Definition (Adjective)
- Contrary to, forbidden, or not authorized by law, especially criminal law.
This is illegal, you know!
- Forbidden by established rules.
Moving a pawn backward is an illegal move in chess.
- Totally fictitious, and often issued on behalf of a non-existent territory or country.
- Being or doing something illegally.
illegal immigrant
- Being an illegal immigrant; residing in a country illegally. (Can we add an example for this sense?)
Illegal as a Noun
- An illegal act or technique.
- Contraband, esp. illegal substances such as drugs.
- Ellipsis of illegal immigrant.
- A spy operating abroad illegally and under non-official cover, without visible ties to his or her country’s authorities.
Noun
- (plural, as illegals) Contraband, esp. illegal substances such as drugs.
- An illegal immigrant.
- A spy working abroad illegally and undercover, without visible ties to his or her country’s authorities.
Adjective
- Contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law.
Nearly 40 million people live in UK areas with illegal air pollution
- (of an issue printed for collectors) Totally fictitious, and often issued on behalf of a non-existent territory or country.
- (of a person, sometimes offensive) Being or doing something illegally.
illegal immigrant; illegal logger; illegal pilot
- (sometimes offensive) Being an illegal immigrant; residing in a country illegally.
Synonyms of Illegal
Antonyms of Illegal
Illegal in a Sentence
This is illegal, you know!
Nearly 40 million people live in UK areas with illegal air pollution
Their illegal mining operations in Asia, Africa and elsewhere, are protected by officials and police paid to look the other way – and powerful customers in the construction industry who prefer not to ask too many questions.
Moving a pawn backward is an illegal move in chess.
The computer program performed an illegal operation and was terminated.
illegal immigrant
illegal logger
illegal pilot
illegal immigrant; illegal logger; illegal pilot
Word Forms & Grammar
illegal (comparative more illegal or (nonstandard or informal) illegaler, superlative most illegal or (nonstandard or informal) illegalest)
illegal (plural illegals)
Words That Rhyme With Illegal
Origin of Illegal
Borrowed from French illégal, from Medieval Latin illegalis, from Latin legalis, by surface analysis, il- + legal. In senses relating to immigration, via clipping of illegal alien or illegal immigrant.
Pronouncing Illegal
The standard pronunciation of illegal is //ɪˈliːɡəl//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Illegal
Is illegal an adjective or a noun?
Illegal is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for illegal?
Close synonyms of illegal are black, hot and dirty. See the full list of illegal synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of illegal?
The plural of illegal is illegals.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of illegal?
The comparative form is more illegal and the superlative form is most illegal.