illicit
gb/ɪlˈɪsət/ us/ɪlˈɪsət/
B2
English
~ 8000
illegális, jogellenes, tiltott, házasságon kívüli, titkos viszony
B2
1
Usage pattern:
illicit [activity/thing]
The police are cracking down on the illicit sale of prescription medicines.
A rendőrség keményen fellép a vényköteles gyógyszerek illegális árusítása ellen.
He was arrested for his role in an illicit arms deal.
Az illegális fegyverügyletben játszott szerepe miatt letartóztatták.
New regulations aim to stop the flow of illicit funds through offshore accounts.
The government launched a campaign against illicit wildlife trafficking.
Authorities seized several tons of illicit drugs at the border.
Learner examples
The man went to prison for selling illicit drugs.
A férfi börtönbe került, mert tiltott kábítószereket árult.
They made money from the illicit trade in rare animals.
Pénzt kerestek a ritka állatok illegális kereskedelméből.
The company was fined for its illicit activities.
The new law targets illicit online gambling sites.
Police found an illicit weapon in his car.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "illicit" with "elicit". "Illicit" (with an "i") means illegal or not allowed. "Elicit" (with an "e") is a verb meaning to bring out or get a reaction or information (e.g., "to elicit a response"). Learners also sometimes use "illicit" where plain "illegal" sounds more natural in everyday speech; "illicit" is more formal and common in news reports.
Meaning
illegal; not allowed by law
Collocations
illicit drugs
|illicit trade
|illicit market
|illicit activities
|illicit arms
|illicit trafficking
Synonyms
illegal (More common and general; less formal-sounding than "illicit".)
|
unlawful (Often used in legal or formal contexts; close in tone to "illicit".)
Antonyms
legal (Direct opposite: allowed by law.)
|
lawful (Formally and clearly permitted by law.)
Themes
law
|crime
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not legal; not allowed by the law or by official rules.
Not allowed by law; illegal or forbidden by official rules.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
illicit [relationship/affair] between [people]
The politician resigned after his illicit affair was exposed in the media.
A politikus lemondott, miután a média leleplezte a titkos viszonyát.
She ended the illicit relationship when she realized how many people it was hurting.
Véget vetett a tiltott kapcsolatnak, amikor rájött, hány embernek okoz fájdalmat.
The novel follows two coworkers who struggle with their illicit romance.
Rumors spread quickly about his alleged illicit liaison with a married colleague.
They met in secret hotels to keep their illicit love hidden from their families.
Learner examples
The actor lost his job because of an illicit affair.
A színész elvesztette az állását egy titkos viszony miatt.
He hid his illicit relationship from his wife.
Eltitkolta a felesége elől a házasságon kívüli kapcsolatát.
Many movies show stories of illicit love.
She felt guilty about the illicit romance.
Their illicit relationship became public and caused a scandal.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "illicit" in this sense always means "illegal" in the strict legal sense. Here it usually means socially or morally unacceptable and secret, especially for romance or sex, even if the law is not involved. In many cases, both "illicit" and "secret" could be used, but "illicit" adds a stronger idea of being wrong or forbidden.
Meaning
socially or morally forbidden, esp. love
Collocations
illicit affair
|illicit relationship
|illicit romance
|illicit liaison
|illicit love
Synonyms
forbidden (General word for something not allowed; does not specifically suggest secrecy or romance.)
|
adulterous (More specific; only for relationships where one or both people are married to someone else.)
Antonyms
legitimate (Emphasizes that a relationship is socially or morally acceptable, often officially recognized.)
|
proper (Highlights that behavior follows social and moral expectations.)
Themes
relationships
|morality
|society
|emotions
Definition
Not accepted by social or moral rules, often used for a secret romantic or sexual relationship.
Not allowed by social or moral rules, especially referring to secret romantic or sexual relationships.
Grammar
Dictionary form
illicit
IPA
GB/ɪlˈɪsət/
US/ɪlˈɪsət/
Syllables & stress
il - li - cit (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (li)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: illicit
Word family
Core family
illicitly
adverb
Related words
licit
adjective
Expressions
illicit affair
1/ɪlˈɪsət əfˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
secret, socially forbidden romance
A romantic or sexual relationship that is secret and not accepted, often because one or both people are married to someone else.
Examples
- The scandal began when a reporter revealed the senator's illicit affair.
- Their illicit affair ended when his wife discovered their messages.
illicit drugs
1/ɪlˈɪsət dɹˈʌɡz/
fixed phrase
illegal or banned drugs
Drugs that are illegal to make, sell, or use.
Examples
- The government is increasing penalties for selling illicit drugs.
- Many young people are harmed every year by illicit drugs bought on the street.
illicit relationship
1/ɪlˈɪsət ɹilˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
secret relationship against rules or norms
A relationship that must be kept secret because it breaks laws, rules, or social norms.
Examples
- He was fired after his illicit relationship with a student came to light.
- The novel centers on an illicit relationship that destroys a family.
illicit trade
1/ɪlˈɪsət tɹˈeɪd/
fixed phrase
illegal buying and selling of goods
Business activities where people buy and sell things in ways that are illegal or against official rules.
Examples
- The report estimates that the illicit trade in wildlife is worth billions of dollars each year.
- International cooperation is needed to stop the illicit trade in counterfeit medicines.