Elicit vs Illicit | Meaning, Difference & Examples
Elicit means to “obtain or receive” (e.g., a response, a reaction, or information), while illicit describes something as “prohibited,” “illegal,” or “socially unacceptable.” The two words are commonly confused because they are pronounced in the same way (i.e., they are homophones).
- Elicit is a verb (e.g., “Teachers often elicit what students know about a topic before teaching it”).
- Illicit is an adjective (e.g., “The police found boxes of illicit goods in the truck”).
| Elicit in a sentence | Illicit in a sentence |
|---|---|
| His attempts to elicit a confession were unsuccessful. | He has a history of illicit activities such as drug dealing. |
| The joke elicited a few smiles from some of the guests. | The platform has been criticized for allowing users to post illicit content. |
| They were just crocodile tears, an attempt to elicit sympathy. | The Hollywood studios would go to great efforts to cover up the illicit romances of their stars. |
Elicit definition
If you are trying to elicit information or a reaction from someone, you are trying to obtain it, especially in an indirect, gentle way.
Elicit is a regular verb, and it is frequently used in combination with the nouns “response,” “information,” “reaction,” “behavior,” and “emotion.”
I want my movie to elicit a range of emotions.
The announcement did not elicit a big response.
Illicit definition
Illicit is an adjective meaning “illegal,” “prohibited,” or “socially improper.” It is commonly used in combination with the nouns “drug,” “substance,” “activity,” and “trade.”
Efforts to combat illicit drug use have been largely unsuccessful.
His illicit relationship with a coworker made the headlines.
If you find yourself confusing the words “elicit” and “illicit,” remember that “illicit” starts with the same three letters as “illegal.”
Illicitly
The adverb form of “illicit” is illicitly. It is used to describe actions as “forbidden,” “illegal,” or “socially taboo” in combination with verbs such as “obtain,” “acquire,” and “access.”
He is accused of illicitly obtaining the painting in the 1970s.
They would meet together illicitly at his studio, and the affair lasted for over a decade.
Frequently asked questions about Elicit vs illicit
- What is a synonym for elicit?
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Synonyms for the verb elicit include:
- Draw out
- Extract
- Prompt
- Evoke
- Provoke
However, elicit and illicit cannot be used interchangeably. The adjective “illicit” is used to describe something as “forbidden,” “illegal” or “socially improper.”
Why not use QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to help you find the best synonym for “elicit” in your specific context?
- What does illicit mean?
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The adjective illicit means “illegal,” “not allowed,” or “culturally taboo” (e.g., “The police found illicit drugs in the trunk of the car”).
Be careful not to confuse elicit and illicit because they are not synonyms.
Try out QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker to help you use “illicit” correctly and naturally in the text you’re writing.
- What does ellicit mean?
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Ellicit is a common misspelling of the verb “elicit” (i.e., it should be spelled with only one “l”).
One of the reasons for this is that elicit and illicit are commonly confused, and “illicit” is spelled with double “l.”
“Elicit” means to “receive or obtain” a reaction, a response, or information. So, if you are attempting to elicit a reaction or information from someone, you are trying to obtain it, often in a subtle or indirect way.
A QuillBot Grammar Check can help you pick up typos such as “ellicit” in your writing.
- What does ilicit mean?
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Ilicit is a common misspelling of the adjective “illicit” (i.e., it should be spelled with double “l”).
One of the reasons for this is that elicit and illicit are commonly confused, and “elicit” is spelled with only one “l.”
“Illicit” means “illegal,” “forbidden,” or “socially unacceptable” (e.g., “The suspect was found carrying illicit substances”).
Why not try a QuillBot Grammar Check? It will help you pick up typos such as “ilicit” in your writing.
