illegal
UK: ɪˈliːɡ(ə)l | US: ɪˈliːɡ(ə)l
adj. contrary to or forbidden by law
adj. not permitted by official rules
"Illegal" combines the negative prefix "il-" (a variant of "in-") with "legal," rooted in Latin "lex" (law). The word emerged in the late 15th century to describe actions violating established laws, reflecting a direct logical opposition: "not lawful." The prefix assimilation (in- → il-) follows Latin phonetic rules for smoother pronunciation before "l."
Parking in this zone is illegal and may result in a fine.
The protest was declared illegal by the government.
She was accused of illegal possession of confidential documents.
Many countries have strict penalties for illegal wildlife trade.
The software bypasses security systems, making it illegal to use.