illicit

What does “illicit” mean?

noun.forbidden by law, rules, or custom.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in passages discussing legal issues, ethics, or societal norms, emphasizing actions or behaviors that violate laws or established rules. It highlights a moral or legal transgression, distinguishing it from similar words like "unlawful," which may not carry the same connotation of secrecy or social disapproval.

Common Confusions

Illicit implies a secretive or morally disapproved action that is forbidden, while unlawful usually suggests a legal violation without necessarily carrying the same connotation of secrecy or societal disapproval.

Example Sentences

• The police seized a large supply of illicit drugs.

• The detective uncovered an illicit operation hidden beneath the city's surface, where illegal drugs were being manufactured and distributed in secret.

Word Parts: How to Remember “illicit”

Break “illicit” into its parts: in- (not). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: in- not (Latin)