bootleg

5 synonyms for bootleg, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To make, transport, or sell something illegally, especially alcohol or unauthorized copies of copyrighted material.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

black

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

moonshine corn liquor smuggled contraband

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To make, transport, or sell something illegally, especially alcohol or unauthorized copies of copyrighted material.

“During Prohibition, plenty of people bootlegged whiskey out of their basements.”

moonshine corn liquor

2. noun

An illegally made or sold product, especially an unauthorized recording or a knockoff item.

“He collected bootlegs of live concerts that were never officially released.”

moonshine

3. adj

Made, sold, or copied illegally.

“They got caught selling bootleg copies of the new album outside the venue.”

black smuggled contraband

How to use bootleg

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

bootleg copy bootleg recording bootleg liquor

Etymology

From "boot" + "leg" — smugglers in the 1700s and 1800s hid illegal bottles of liquor inside the legs of their tall boots.

Full origin of bootleg →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bootleg” mean?

The word “bootleg” means to make, transport, or sell something illegally, especially alcohol or unauthorized copies of copyrighted material. In plain terms, something illegal made or copied without permission — think fake merchandise, pirated recordings, or homemade alcohol.

How do you pronounce “bootleg”?

“Bootleg” is pronounced BOOT-lehg (/ˈbutˌlɛɡ/ in IPA).

How do you use “bootleg” in a sentence?

Here is “bootleg” used in a sentence: “During Prohibition, plenty of people bootlegged whiskey out of their basements.”

What part of speech is “bootleg”?

Depending on how it is used, “bootleg” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “bootleg” come from?

The word “bootleg” dates back to around 1700. From "boot" + "leg" — smugglers in the 1700s and 1800s hid illegal bottles of liquor inside the legs of their tall boots.

How many meanings does “bootleg” have?

“Bootleg” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make, transport, or sell something illegally, especially alcohol or unauthorized copies of copyrighted material.

Related words

bathtub gin doghole moonshine

People also searched

black contraband moonshine

Nearby words

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