Illegal Meaning
/ɪˈliːɡəl/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjContrary to, forbidden, or not authorized by law, especially criminal law.
adjForbidden by established rules.
Sentence Examples
Everybody took a hostile attitude toward illegal aliens.
I was fined 20 dollars for illegal parking.
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CEFR Practice Quiz
Driving a car without a valid license is ____ in most countries and can lead to fines.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is ____ to drive a motor vehicle without having a valid and current driver's license.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from French illégal, from Medieval Latin illegalis, from Latin legalis, by surface analysis, il- + legal. In senses relating to immigration, via clipping of illegal alien or illegal immigrant.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"In all times the Princes in England have done ſomething illegal to get Money: But then came a Parliament and all was well, the People and the Prince kiſt and were Friends, and ſo things were quiet for a while."
— a. 1654, John Selden, “Money”, in Table-Talk, 3rd edition, London: Jacob Tonson, published 1716, page 74:
"Imagine a country where children do nothing but play until they start compulsory schooling at age seven. Then, without exception, they attend comprehensives until the age of 16. Charging school fees is illegal, and so is sorting pupils into ability groups by streaming or setting."
— 2013 July 19, Peter Wilby, “Finland spreads word on schools”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 6, page 30:
"Major parties have long relied on large-scale campaign contributions, and the LDP was only recently mired in an illegal fundraising scandal. Sanseito drew its support from smaller, individual donations."
— 2025 July 24, Ned Temko, “In Japan, too, voters want their country to be ‘great again’”, in The Christian Science Monitor, archived from the original on 27 Jul 2025:
"It's illegal to go over 70mph on any British road, so why should drivers have cars that can?"
— 2026 February 18, Dickon Ross, “No need for speed”, in RAIL, number 1055, page 3:
"That whatſoever illegals hath been uſed againſt his friends and ſubjects, by impriſoning them without law, or impoſing fines upon their eſtates, be diſclaimed, and that perſons ſo committed be forthwith diſcharged."
— c. 1650, John Spalding, The History of the Troubles and Memorable Transactions in Scotland, from the Year 1624 to 1645, volume II, Aberdeen: T. Evans, published 1792, pages 72–73:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Driving a car without a valid license is ____ in most countries and can lead to fines.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is ____ to drive a motor vehicle without having a valid and current driver's license.