illegal
word · lemma: legal
/ˌɪˈɫiɡəɫ/
i-LEE-guhl
/ɪlˈiːɡəl/
i-LEE-guhl
Definition
Not allowed by the law; against the law. It describes actions, goods, or situations that are legally forbidden.
Usage & Nuances
Common in legal, news, and everyday contexts: 'illegal parking', 'illegal drugs', 'illegal activity'. Stronger and more legal-focused than 'wrong' or 'bad'. For people, prefer phrases like 'undocumented immigrant' rather than labeling a person as 'illegal'.
Spanish: ilegalPortuguese (BR): ilegalPortuguese (PT): ilegalChinese (Simplified): 非法的Chinese (Traditional): 非法的Hindi: गैरकानूनीArabic: غير قانونيBengali: অবৈধRussian: незаконныйJapanese: 違法Vietnamese: bất hợp phápKorean: 불법Turkish: yasa dışı - illegalUrdu: غیر قانونیIndonesian: ilegal
Example Sentences
It is illegal to park here.
basic
Selling fake medicine is illegal.
basic
They were caught using illegal copies of the software.
basic
Yeah, it's cheap, but that doesn't mean it's not illegal.
natural
Downloading movies from that site is probably illegal.
natural
They got in trouble for illegal dumping near the river.
natural