ILLEGAL VS. ILLICIT

##ILLEGAL

Something illegal is forbidden by law: "It is illegal for motocyclists not to wear a crash helmet."

e.g. Pirated DVDs are sold illicitly/illegally on the streets.

##ILLICIT

If a thing is illicit it is done by someone who knows that it is disallowed by law but that under different circumstances it could be legal.

There is no law that states that a married individual needs to be faithful to his/her partner. If such a person does have an affair, it would be considered ‘illicit’ and not ‘illegal’.

Things or acts that would be disapproved of by members of society would be considered ‘illicit’.

e.g. According to this article, the actor had several illicit affairs.

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