# smuggler

/ˈsməɡəɫɝ/ (US) · /smˈʌɡlɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/smuggler
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a person who illegally brings goods into or out of a country. They usually do this to avoid paying taxes or to hide something from the law.

For teachers: a person who illegally transports goods across a border or within a country. Often used in the context of illicit trade or the evasion of customs regulations.

## Examples

- The smuggler hid the goods in a large container.
- Customs officials arrested a smuggler who was trying to bring rare artifacts into the country without a permit.
- Historical accounts often depict the smuggler as a complex figure, simultaneously a criminal who evades the state and a vital link in the local economy during times of high taxation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.