Illicit Meaning
/ɪˈlɪsɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjNot approved by law, but not invalid.
adjBreaking social norms.
Sentence Examples
He uses bitcoins to purchase illicit drugs.
Fadil and Layla had an illicit affair.
Sami and Layla continued their illicit love relationship.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The police caught them selling ____ drugs on the street corner in broad daylight.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The police conducted a major raid to stop the ____ trade of dangerous and banned substances.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from French illicite, from Latin illicitus, from in- (“not”) + licitus (“allowed, permitted”), from licet (“it is allowed”). By surface analysis, il- + licit.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Such migrants may violate our laws against illicit entry, but if that's all they do then they are trespassers, not criminals."
— 2008 January 8, Madeleine Albright, Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore America's Reputation and Leadership, New York: HarperCollins, →ISBN, →OL, page 225:
"I only can properly enjoy carol services if I am having an illicit affair with someone in the congregation."
— 1993, Alan Clark, Diaries: In Power 1983-1992, London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, →ISBN, →OL:
"Ayşe Erkoç learned long ago that the secret of doing anything illicit in Istanbul is to do it in full public gaze in the clear light of day. No one ever questions the legitimacy of the blatant."
— 2010 July 29, Ian McDonald, The Dervish House, →ISBN, →OL:
"A large number of studies, however, have reported that it is rare for the user of 'hard' drugs not to have initiated cannabis use prior to the other illicits."
— 2011, Shane Darke, The Life of the Heroin User: Typical Beginnings, Trajectories and Outcomes:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The police caught them selling ____ drugs on the street corner in broad daylight.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The police conducted a major raid to stop the ____ trade of dangerous and banned substances.