illegal

[ ih-lee-guhl ]

adjective

1. forbidden by law or statute.

   Synonyms: unlicensed, illicit, illegitimate, unlawful

2. contrary to or forbidden by official rules, regulations, etc.:

   The referee ruled that it was an illegal forward pass.

noun

1. Informal: Disparaging and Offensive. illegal alien.

illegal

/ ɪˈliːɡəl /

adjective

1. forbidden by law; unlawful; illicit
2. unauthorized or prohibited by a code of official or accepted rules

noun

1. a person who has entered or attempted to enter a country illegally

Sensitive Note

See illegal alien.

Derived Forms

• ˌilleˈgality, noun
• ilˈlegally, adverb

Other Words From

• il·legal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of illegal¹

From the Medieval Latin word illēgālis, dating back to 1620–30. See il- ², legal

Synonym Study

Illegal, unlawful, illegitimate, illicit, criminal can all describe actions not in accord with law. Illegal refers most specifically to violations of statutes or, in organized athletics, codified rules: an illegal seizure of property; an illegal block ( in football ). Unlawful means not sanctioned by or according to law: an unlawful claim to the inheritance; to take unlawful advantage of the trading situation. Illegitimate means lacking legal or traditional right or rights: an illegitimate child; illegitimate use of privileged knowledge. Illicit, which originally meant simply “not permitted,” now most often applies to matters regulated by law with specific emphasis on the way things are carried out: illicit conversion of property; an illicit attempt to control the market. Criminal most often refers to violation of the statutes of penal as opposed to civil law. All felonies are criminal as are all crimes sometimes punishable by death such as murder, arson, and kidnapping: a criminal act.

Example Sentences

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary said the fines were "illegal" and "baseless", adding that he will appeal the case and take it to the EU courts.

From BBC

The decision to sit out the litigation against Trump — litigation that resulted in a $25 million settlement — came only after Bondi received an illegal $25,000 campaign contribution from a Trump-affiliated charity; Trump would go on to name Bondi’s chief of staff to a top position in the Department of Education in his first term.

From Salon

It is already illegal for nonprofits to provide material aid to terrorist groups, and the federal government can enforce the law with prosecution and sanctions.

From Salon

He quickly found adverts on TikTok offering a similar service to the men from Caerphilly, but they were unlikely to talk openly about illegal activity.

From BBC

Chispa focused on the 45th because it bordered Santa Ana, and Rep. Steel — who was born in South Korea — had long been a vocal critic of illegal immigration.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• banned
• criminal
• illegitimate
• illicit
• irregular
• outlawed
• prohibited
• smuggled
• unauthorized
• unconstitutional
• unlawful
• unlicensed
• unwarranted
• wrongful