adjective
unlawful
adjective
1
Against the law; not legally permitted.
"It is unlawful to drive without a valid licence."
How to Use Unlawful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIllegal — not allowed under the law.
Common mistake
"Unlawful" and "illegal" mean almost the same thing, but "unlawful" is often used in formal or civil contexts (contracts, torts), while "illegal" is used more for criminal matters.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
unlawful act
unlawful arrest
unlawful killing
Word Forms
more unlawful comparative, most unlawful superlative
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It is _____ to drive without a valid licence.
Etymology
From "un-" + "lawful."