illicit

[ ih-lis-it ]

adjective

1. not legally permitted or authorized; unlicensed; unlawful.

   Synonyms: prohibited, illegitimate

2. disapproved of or not permitted for moral or ethical reasons.

illicit

/ ɪˈlɪsɪt /

adjective

1. another word for illegal
2. not allowed or approved by common custom, rule, or standard

   illicit sexual relations

Derived Forms

• ilˈlicitly, adverb
• illicitness, noun

Other Words From

• il·lic·it·ly adverb
• il·lic·it·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of illicit¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin illicitus, equivalent to il- ² + licit ( def )

Synonym Study

See illegal.

Example Sentences

State officials are responding by doubling staffing and investing millions towards a special task force to remove fentanyl pills, and other illicit opioids, from street sales.

From Los Angeles Times

The DEA has also reported increased seizures of illicit ketamine in recent years at rates far lower than seizures of fentanyl or other far more deadly and prevalent illegal drugs.

From Salon

His exit halted the release of a congressional report into allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and misuse of campaign funds.

From BBC

The House Ethics Committee is scrapping a planned Friday meeting as pressure builds for the oversight panel to release a report on attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz’s alleged sexual misconduct and illicit drug use.

From Salon

Long an outspoken ally of Trump's, Gaetz was the subject of an ongoing ethics investigation in the House of Representatives into allegations of sexual misconduct, illicit drug use and misuse of campaign funds.

From BBC

Related Words

• adulterous
• bootleg
• clandestine
• contraband
• furtive
• illegal
• illegitimate
• immoral
• improper
• prohibited
• unauthorized
• unlawful
• unlicensed
• wrongful