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

He 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

The separate investigation by the House Ethics Committee, which will now be closed out, was considering whether Gaetz “engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use” or “sought to obstruct government investigations of his conduct,” among other things, the committee said in June.

From Los Angeles Times

Edge was also sentenced for accessing and viewing the illicit football streams he was selling on.

From BBC

Trevon Nathaniel Langstaff, 33, who was arrested in March, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

From Los Angeles Times

Over the past year, Breed has tacked right on those issues, successfully pushing two ballot measures that bolstered police surveillance powers and required drug screening and treatment for people receiving county welfare benefits who are suspected of illicit drug use.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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