illicit
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for illicit, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Not permitted by law or social convention; forbidden.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use illicit
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
illicit drugs
illicit affair
illicit trade
Etymology
Borrowed from French illicite, from Latin illicitus — in- ("not") + licitus ("allowed").
Full origin of illicit →Frequently asked questions
What does “illicit” mean?
The word “illicit” means not permitted by law or social convention; forbidden. In plain terms, forbidden — either by law or by social rules — often carries a hint of secrecy.
How do you pronounce “illicit”?
“Illicit” is pronounced ih-LIH-siht (/ɪˈlɪsɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “illicit” in a sentence?
Here is “illicit” used in a sentence: “Police seized a large quantity of illicit drugs at the port.”
What part of speech is “illicit”?
“Illicit” is an adjective.
Where does the word “illicit” come from?
The word “illicit” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French illicite, from Latin illicitus — in- ("not") + licitus ("allowed").
Is “illicit” a common word?
“Illicit” is an uncommon word in modern English.
