illin'

[ il-in ]

adjective

, Slang.

1. foolish; crazy (used especially in the phrase be illin' ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of illin'¹

First recorded in 1980–85; apparently from ill

Example Sentences

Even multiplatinum-selling rapper Jay-Z once rhymed on “Can I Live”: “No more Big Willie, my game has grown. Prefer you call me William. Illin for the revenues, Rayful Edmond-like. Channel 7 news, round seven jewels, head dead on the mic.”

From Washington Post

It's way more illin' to hear the ball rattle around as you stare at your opponent.

From Golf Digest

The remnants of her sash read Miss Illin, and for a moment, Jennifer thought of her as being from a very cool hip-hop state.

From Literature

“It was December 24th on Hollis Ave after dark / When I seen a man chilling with his dog at the park / I approached them very slowly with my heart full of fear / Looked at his dog, oh my God, a illin’ reindeer”

From Washington Times

Parental leave policies are illin’.

From Time