Etymology

From il- (an assimilated version of in-) + legal. In senses relating to immigration, via clipping from illegal alien or illegal immigrant.

Pronunciation

• enPR: ĭ.lēʹgl
• Rhymes: -iːɡəl

Adjective

illegal (comparative more illegal, superlative most illegal)

1. (law) Contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law.
2. Not permitted by rules
   
   Moving a pawn backward is an illegal move in chess.
   
   
3. (philately, of an issue printed for collectors) Totally fictitious, and often issued on behalf of a non-existent territory or country.
4. (of an immigrant) Being an illegal immigrant; residing in a country illegally.

Synonyms

• (forbidden by law): criminal, felonious, illicit, unlawful
• (totally fictitious): bogus

Antonyms

• (forbidden by law): lawful, legal

Derived terms

• illegal alien
• illegal immigrant

Noun

illegal (plural illegals)

1. (colloquial) An illegal immigrant.

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