¹illegal

adjective il·le·gal \(ˌ)i(l)-ˈlē-gəl\

: not allowed by the law : not legal

: not allowed by the rules in a game

Full Definition of ILLEGAL

: not according to or authorized by law : unlawful, illicit; also : not sanctioned by official rules (as of a game)

— il·le·gal·i·ty \ˌi-li-ˈga-lə-tē\ noun

— il·le·gal·ly \(ˌ)i(l)-ˈlē-gə-lē\ adverb

See illegal defined for English-language learners

See illegal defined for kids

Origin of ILLEGAL

Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French illegal, from Medieval Latin illegalis, from Latin in- + legalis legal

First Known Use: 1538

Related to ILLEGAL

Synonyms: criminal, felonious, illegitimate, illicit, lawless, unlawful, wrongful

Antonyms: lawful, legal, legitimate

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with ILLEGAL

bald eagle, half eagle, porbeagle, sea eagle, spread-eagle, viceregal

²illegal

noun, sometimes disparaging + offensive

Definition of ILLEGAL

: a person who enters or lives in a country without the documentation required for legal entry or residence

First Known Use of ILLEGAL

1939

ILLEGALITY Defined for Kids

illegal

adjective il·le·gal \i-ˈlē-gəl\

Definition of ILLEGAL for Kids

: not allowed by the laws or rules <He was arrested for illegal activities.> <The team made an illegal play.>

— il·le·gal·ly \i-ˈlē-gə-lē\ adverb

Learn More About ILLEGAL

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "illegal"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "illegal"

Nglish: Translation of "illegal" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "illegal" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: illegalizePrevious Word in the Dictionary: IllecebraceaeAll Words Near: illegal

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up illegal? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

1illegal