Words / C1

i-LIS-it/ɪˈlɪsɪt/

Illicit means forbidden by law or rules: illicit trade, illicit sharing. Elicit (already in the dictionary) is draw out a response — same-sounding exam trap. Illegal is against the law; illicit also covers professional or moral bans. Elicit / illicit mix-up is famous. Do not call an ugly shirt illicit.

Meaning

Not allowed by law or by the rules.

Examples

• “Illicit sharing of the paper broke the embargo, licit or not in their group chat.”
• “Illicit circulation of the paper broke the embargo; elicit a comment is a different verb.”
• “Illegal is statute; illicit can be a handbook ban with no criminal charge.”

Good to know

Forbidden by law or rule. Mix-up: elicit (draw out). Close: illegal (statute). Not a fashion insult.

Near in meaning

illegal

New