SpellRight

SpellRight › Spelling

Moderate

illegal

The correct spelling is illegal.

How to pronounce illegal

noun

IPA: /ɪˈliːɡəl/

Say it like: Ill-ega-l

The correct spelling is illegal. An illegal act or technique. For example: "Nearly 40 million people live in UK areas with illegal air pollution"

Usage Examples

Nearly 40 million people live in UK areas with illegal air pollution

Moving a pawn backward is an illegal move in chess.

illegal immigrant;  illegal logger;  illegal pilot

Meanings

noun

  1. 1.An illegal act or technique.
  2. 2.(plural, as illegals) Contraband, esp. illegal substances such as drugs.
  3. 3.An illegal immigrant.
  4. 4.A spy working abroad illegally and undercover, without visible ties to his or her country’s authorities.

adjective

  1. 1.Contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law.
  2. 2.Forbidden by established rules.
  3. 3.(of an issue printed for collectors) Totally fictitious, and often issued on behalf of a non-existent territory or country.
  4. 4.(of a person, sometimes offensive) Being or doing something illegally.
  5. 5.(sometimes offensive) Being an illegal immigrant; residing in a country illegally.

Similar words

Words related in meaning — check their spelling too.

View synonyms & usage examples