Illegal vs. Illicit: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 7, 2023
Illegal pertains to a violation of statutory law, while illicit often refers to actions forbidden by social conventions or ethical rules.
Key Differences
Illegal essentially relates to actions that are against the law, meaning they are forbidden by statute and are punishable by law. Illicit, conversely, denotes something that is not permitted or is considered improper by certain standards or social norms. Although they can often be used interchangeably, their nuanced differences are essential.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Illegal actions involve a direct violation of specific laws or regulations within a governed entity. Illicit activities, while also implying prohibitive actions, may not always infringe upon written laws but may contradict societal or organizational norms and expectations. It's a subtle distinction but a noteworthy one.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Illegal can refer to actions that contravene civil or criminal law, meaning that the infractions could pertain to private wrongs or public wrongs. Illicit carries a tone of being immoral or unethical in a generalized sense, not strictly adhering to legal codification but to a broader sense of propriety and acceptability.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
The term illegal is often utilized in a broader scope, referring to anything that is against the law, such as illegal parking or illegal downloading. Illicit, however, often alludes to activities that are seen as secretive, unauthorized, or morally questionable, such as illicit affairs or illicit drug trade.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
Sometimes, an action can be both illegal and illicit, meaning it violates both formal laws and ethical or societal norms. However, the demarcation usually lies in the specificity and jurisdiction of formal law (illegal) versus the generalized impropriety or unacceptability in a societal or ethical context (illicit).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Direct violation of statutory laws.
Engaging in socially or morally unacceptable practices.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Applicability
Pertains to civil and criminal law.
May not be legally defined but ethically/morally banned.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Example Usage
Illegal drugs (violating specific legal statutes).
Illicit love affair (morally frowned upon, not illegal).
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
Associated Domains
Often used in legal contexts.
Commonly used in moral and social contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
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Illegal and Illicit Definitions
Illegal
Not authorized by the official rules or laws.
An illegal turn on a red light can result in a traffic ticket.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Illicit
Unlawful; not permitted.
Illicit sales of antiquities damage cultural heritage.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Illegal
Not allowed by the law.
Parking in front of a fire hydrant is illegal.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Illicit
Forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
He was arrested for illicit drug use.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
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Illicit
Not sanctioned by custom or law.
The illicit trade of wildlife parts threatens many species with extinction.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Illegal
Prohibited by official law or statute.
Creating illegal copies of official documents is a criminal act.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Illicit
Not allowed or prohibited.
Illicit activities, like smuggling, often occur across borders.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Illegal
Unlawful; violating legal codes.
Illegal downloading of software deprives creators of their due earnings.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Illicit
(legal) Not approved by law, but not invalid.
The bigamous marriage, while illicit, was not invalid.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illegal
Unacceptable to or not performable by a computer
An illegal operation.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illegal
A person who is not legally authorized to live and work in a country.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illegal
Contrary to or forbidden by law, especially criminal law.
This is illegal, you know!
Nearly 40 million people live in UK areas with illegal air pollution
Their illegal mining operations in Asia, Africa and elsewhere, are protected by officials and police paid to look the other way – and powerful customers in the construction industry who prefer not to ask too many questions.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illegal
Breaching certain enacted statutes of positive law; not lawful, not legal (cf. immoral, unethical)
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illicit
Not permitted or allowed; prohibited; unlawful; as, illicit trade; illicit intercourse; illicit pleasure.
One illicit . . . transaction always leads to another.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illegal
Forbidden by established rules.
Moving a pawn backward is an illegal move in chess.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illicit
Contrary to accepted morality (especially sexual morality) or convention;
An illicit association with his secretary
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illegal
Totally fictitious, and often issued on behalf of a non-existent territory or country.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illicit
Contrary to or forbidden by law;
An illegitimate seizure of power
Illicit trade
An outlaw strike
Unlawful measures
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illegal
Being or doing something illegally.
Illegal immigrant
Illegal logger
Illegal pilot
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illicit
Contrary to accepted morality or convention.
Illicit relationships can cause social scandals.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Illegal
(espionage) A spy working abroad illegally and undercover, without visible ties to his or her country’s authorities.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illegal
Not according to, or authorized by, law; specif., contrary to, or in violation of, human law; unlawful; illicit; hence, immoral; as, an illegal act; illegal trade; illegal love.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
Illegal
Prohibited by law or by official or accepted rules;
An illegal chess move
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 19, 2023
FAQs
Is everything illegal also immoral?
Not necessarily; something might be illegal but not deemed immoral, as legality and morality can diverge.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Does "illegal" pertain only to criminal law?
No, “illegal” can refer to violations of both criminal and civil law.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Is an illegal act always punishable by law?
Typically yes, illegal acts are subject to legal penalties, which vary depending on jurisdiction and nature of the act.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Can a rule be illegal?
Yes, if a rule contravenes existing law, it might be considered illegal.
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
Are illegal things always illicit?
Not necessarily; “illegal” is specific to law, while “illicit” often concerns moral or societal norms.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
Can “illegal” describe a person?
While used, describing a person as “illegal” is considered incorrect and dehumanizing; “undocumented” is preferred.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Are all actions against the law termed as illegal?
Yes, actions contrary to statutory law are typically termed illegal.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Can I use "unlawful" as a synonym for illegal?
Often, yes; "unlawful" and "illegal" are generally used interchangeably.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
Can something be illegal but ethically right?
Yes, in some instances, an act may be illegal but considered ethically justifiable in certain moral frameworks.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Is illicit always associated with immorality?
Often, but not always; “illicit” usually denotes actions deemed immoral or inappropriate, not just illegal.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
What’s the definition of illicit?
Illicit describes something forbidden by law, rules, or social norms.
Sara Rehman
Oct 06, 2023
Can an illicit act be legal?
Potentially, yes; if an act is socially or morally frowned upon but not lawfully prohibited, it’s illicit but legal.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Can a relationship be illicit?
Yes; if a relationship violates social, moral, or sometimes legal boundaries, it might be described as illicit.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
Is “illicit” always negative?
Generally, yes; “illicit” typically carries a negative connotation, implying improper actions or qualities.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Is illicit behavior always harmful?
Not inherently, but illicit behavior often involves actions that are deemed harmful or undesirable by legal, social, or moral standards.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Are “illicit” and “illegal” synonymous?
While often used interchangeably, they're not exact synonyms; “illegal” is law-specific, while “illicit” often pertains to moral/social unacceptability.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 06, 2023
Can something be illicit in one culture but not in another?
Absolutely; what’s deemed illicit can greatly vary between different cultures or societies.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 06, 2023
Is illicit activity always secretive?
Often, yes; due to its prohibited or frowned-upon nature, illicit activity is commonly conducted secretly.
Harlon Moss
Oct 06, 2023
Can an object be illicit?
Yes; objects involved in or resulting from activities that are illegal or socially frowned upon (like illicit drugs) are often termed as illicit.
Janet White
Oct 06, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
