Word Explorer

Illegal

/ɪˈliːɡəl/

An illegal act or technique.

📖 Definitions of "Illegal"

noun
  1. 1

    An illegal act or technique.

  2. 2

    (plural, as illegals) Contraband, esp. illegal substances such as drugs.

  3. 3

    An illegal immigrant.

  4. 4

    A spy working abroad illegally and undercover, without visible ties to his or her country’s authorities.

adjective
  1. 1

    Contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law.

    "Nearly 40 million people live in UK areas with illegal air pollution"

  2. 2

    Forbidden by established rules.

    "Moving a pawn backward is an illegal move in chess."

  3. 3

    (of an issue printed for collectors) Totally fictitious, and often issued on behalf of a non-existent territory or country.

  4. 4

    (of a person, sometimes offensive) Being or doing something illegally.

    "illegal immigrant;  illegal logger;  illegal pilot"

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