Word
illegality
Phoneticsil·le·gal·i·ty, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪɫiˈɡæɫɪti/
UK/ɪliːɡˈælɪti/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. something that breaks the law and is not allowed. You use it to talk about actions that the law forbids.
n. contravention of statutory or common law, or a specific instance of such contravention.
Examples
“The illegality of the plan worries everyone.”
“The lawyer warns the company about the illegality of hiring workers without proper permits.”
“The court examined the alleged illegality of the surveillance program, weighing national security claims against constitutional protections for privacy.”
Examples
simple
“The illegality of the plan worries everyone.”
contextual
“The lawyer warns the company about the illegality of hiring workers without proper permits.”
complex
“The court examined the alleged illegality of the surveillance program, weighing national security claims against constitutional protections for privacy.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “illegality” in context.
Verb
01. border on illegality
“Some aggressive tax avoidance schemes border on illegality.”
verb + prep + noun
02. combat illegality
“New regulations aim to combat illegality in the fishing industry.”
verb + noun
03. denounce illegality
“Opposition leaders denounced illegality in the awarding of contracts.”
verb + noun
04. expose illegality
“The investigation exposed illegality within the construction bidding process.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. alleged illegality
“The court will investigate the alleged illegality of the election donations.”
adj + noun
06. blatant illegality
“The demolition was condemned as a blatant illegality by housing activists.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. act of illegality
“Dumping waste in the river is an act of illegality punishable by fines.”
noun + prep + noun
08. evidence of illegality
“Auditors found clear evidence of illegality in the accounts.”
noun + prep + noun
09. border on outright illegality
“Critics argue that the surveillance programme borders on outright illegality.”
10. combat widespread illegality
“The task force was created to combat widespread illegality at sea.”
11. establish the illegality in court
“Lawyers must establish the illegality in court to void the contract.”
12. expose suspected illegality
“The documentary exposed suspected illegality in the wildlife trade.”
Usage
Often singular for the abstract condition; plural 'illegalities' denotes specific unlawful acts.
Real-World Examples
“They sealed the doors and confiscated the 25 sewing machines under a crackdown on an industry that is booming but blighted by illegality and sweatshop conditions.” Etymology
From French illégalité, equivalent to il- + legality or illegal + -ity.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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