bootleg
Bootleg (verb) means to make, transport, or sell something illegally, especially alcohol or unauthorized copies of copyrighted material. Example: “During Prohibition, plenty of people bootlegged whiskey out of their basements.”
How to use bootleg
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething illegal made or copied without permission — think fake merchandise, pirated recordings, or homemade alcohol.
Don't confuse the noun/adjective sense (a fake or illegal copy) with the verb (the act of making or selling it).
Word forms
bootlegged past tense, bootlegs plural, bootlegs singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He collected _____ of live concerts that were never officially released.
Etymology
From "boot" + "leg" — smugglers in the 1700s and 1800s hid illegal bottles of liquor inside the legs of their tall boots.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
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.