illicit — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Not approved by law, but not invalid.

   Synonyms

   disallowednonlicetprohibited

   Examples

   The bigamous marriage, while illicit, was not invalid.

   Such migrants may violate our laws against illicit entry, but if that's all they do then they are trespassers, not criminals.

2. Breaking social norms.

   Synonyms

   deviantimproperscandalous

   Examples

   I only can properly enjoy carol services if I am having an illicit affair with someone in the congregation.

3. Unlawful.

   Synonyms

   criminalillegalillegitimate

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   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.

Noun

1. A banned or unlawful item.

   Examples

   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.

Adjective

1. contrary to accepted morality (especially sexual morality) or convention

   Antonyms

   licit

   Examples

   an illicit association with his secretary

2. contrary to or forbidden by law

   Synonyms

   illegitimateoutlawoutlawedunlawful

   Examples

   an illegitimate seizure of power

   illicit trade

   More examples (2)

   an outlaw strike

   unlawful measures