French word

illégal

Pronunciation

IPA/ilegal/

Meaning

  • adjectiveillegal

Example

Fumer ici est illégal.

Smoking here is illegal.

Illustration for illégal (illegal)

More examples

Les activités illégales sont punies.

Illegal activities are punished.

Core concept

Something excluded by the rules of the law rather than merely disapproved of.

Common phrases

  • activité illégale

    illegal activity

  • vente illégale

    illegal sale

  • immigration illégale

    illegal immigration

Similar words

interdit: Explicitly prohibited and not allowed.
défendu: Prohibited for entry or conduct and not permitted.
illicite: Contrary to the law and therefore not legitimate.

Definition in French

Qui est contraire à la loi; qui est interdit par la législation.

Word origin

French illégal descends from Latin illegalis, a formation from in- 'not' and legalis 'legal', with the prefix assimilated to il- before l.

Usage tips

  • Illégal most often describes an act, practice, or situation; applying it directly to a person can sound strongly condemnatory.

Opposites

Related words

  • illégalitéillegalitynoun
  • illégalementillegallyadverb

Word lists with this word