3 syllables: Il, li, cit. Stress on li.
il-IS-uht
/ˌɪˈlɪsət/
Illicit is pronounced il-IS-uht (/ˌɪˈlɪsət/). It has three syllables (Il-li-cit), with the stress on "li". Illicit is an adjective meaning forbidden by law, rule, or custom. It describes actions, goods, or activities that are not legally or properly permitted, often implying secrecy or wrongdoing. In everyday use, it signals something hidden or illicitly obtained, contrasting with legitimate or lawful alternatives.
adjectiveIllicit is an adjective meaning forbidden by law, rule, or custom. It describes actions, goods, or activities that are not legally or properly permitted, often implying secrecy or wrongdoing. In everyday use, it signals something hidden or illicitly obtained, contrasting with legitimate or lawful alternatives.
"The police cracked down on illicit drug trafficking in the region."
"She faced consequences for engaging in illicit online gambling."
"They were arrested after being found with illicit items at the border."
Pronounce it as /ɪˈlɪsɪt/. Stress on the second syllable: i-LI-cit. The initial vowel is a short, lax /ɪ/ as in ‘sit,’ followed by a clear /l/ and an unstressed /ɪ/ in the second syllable, then /t/ at the end. In careful speech you’ll hear a crisp final /t/. If you’re listening to native speech, aim for a quick, even rhythm between syllables and avoid adding extra vowel sounds.
Two common errors are misplacing stress (saying i-LI-sit with wrong emphasis) and replacing /ɪ/ with a lax schwa in the second syllable. Corrective tips: emphasize the second syllable /ˈlɪs/ with a crisp /ɪ/ vowel, keep the unstressed first vowel short /ɪ/ as in ‘bit,’ and finish with an aspirated /t/. Practice with deliberate repetition: i-LI-cit, not il-LI-sit or i-li-CIT.
In US, UK, and AU, the core /ɪ/ and /l/ are similar, but vowel length and rhotic influence can shift slightly. US speakers often have a slightly shorter pre-stress vowel and a stronger /ɪ/ in the first syllable; UK speakers may keep a tighter articulation of /l/ with slightly fronted /ɪ/; AU speakers tend toward a neutral vowel in the first syllable and a crisp final /t/. Overall, the main tip is to preserve the /ˈlɪsɪt/ pattern with clear /t/ end across accents.
The difficulty lies in the shift from the stressed /ˈlɪs/ to the unstressed /ɪt/, which can lead to a reduced vowel or a light final /t/ sound. Learners also often mispronounce the second syllable by making it an extra syllable or softening too much. Focus on crisp articulation of /l/ and /s/ in the stressed syllable and maintain a short /ɪ/ in the final syllable, finishing with a clear /t/. Accurate timing between syllables reinforces natural flow.
In fluent speech, the second syllable is typically /ˈlɪsɪt/, not a full schwa. The second /ɪ/ is a short, lax vowel, not a neutral schwa. Some rapid speech can slightly reduce the vowel, but professionals maintain a distinct /ɪ/ in the second syllable to preserve the word’s characteristic rhythm and ensure the /t/ at the end is heard clearly.
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Illicit comes from the Latin illicitus, formed from in- ‘not’ + licēre ‘to be allowed, to be permitted.’ The trajectory into English passed through Old French as illicite and directly into Middle English in the late medieval period. The core meaning aligned with not permitted, disallowed, or forbidden. Over time, the word broadened to cover not only legal prohibitions but also socially sanctioned norms, implying concealment or evasion from established rules. The modern sense emphasizes illicit activities or goods—specifically those prohibited by law or policy—often with a covert or clandestine connotation. First known usage in English appears in the 16th century, aligning with other Romance-derived terms on legality and morality. Throughout its history, illicit has maintained a strong negative valence, frequently used in legal, criminological, and ethical discourse to label actions and items that violate formal or informal rules. Advancements in global governance and evolving criminal landscapes have kept the term in active, contemporary use, especially in discussions of crime, corruption, and illicit markets.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Illicit" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Illicit" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Illicit"
-cit sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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