illegal
Noun pluralillegals
Pluralillegals
- 1Not allowed by the law.
Like breaking a rule in a game, except the rule is a law and you can be punished for it.
Parking here is illegal after six in the evening.
They were caught selling illegal fireworks.
UsageSay it is illegal to do something, as in it is illegal to park here.
Note
- 2Living in a country without the legal right to be there. Many people find the word hurtful.
Many illegal workers are afraid to call the police.
He stayed illegal for years before finally getting his papers.
UsageMany people find this hurtful. Say someone is undocumented instead.
Similarundocumented, unauthorized
Oppositelegal
Note
- 3Not allowed by the rules of a game or activity.
That tackle was illegal, so the referee blew his whistle.
He tried to move his king into check, which is an illegal move in chess.
UsageSay an illegal move in a game, or a tackle ruled illegal.
Similarprohibited, forbidden, banned
Oppositelegal, permitted, allowed, fair
Note
- 4A person who lives in a country without legal permission. Many people find the word offensive.
He had lived as an illegal for nearly a decade before getting citizenship.
The raid swept up dozens of illegals overnight.
UsageThis word is hurtful. Describe the person's situation instead.
Note
Less common meanings
- 5Forbidden goods, especially drugs, that it is against the law to have or sell.
Similarcontraband, drugs, narcotics
Note
- 6A spy who works secretly in another country, with no open link to their own government.
Like a secret agent in a movie who lives as an ordinary neighbor while spying.
The illegal ran a small shop while secretly spying for another country.
Several illegals were quietly recalled after the network was exposed.
Note
- 7Something done against the law, or a trick that breaks the rules.
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 ScotlandHere, illegals means acts done against the law.Note
- 8Of a stamp: fake and made for collectors without a real postal service's permission.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It came from French illégal, which goes back to Latin. It is made from il- plus legal.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- English illegal came from French illégal. en.wiktionary.org
- French illégal ultimately derives from Latin. en.wiktionary.org
- Illegal consists of il- plus legal. en.wiktionary.org