What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contraband
Example
The police found a stash of contraband cigarettes in the suspect's car. [contraband: noun]
Example
The authorities seized the contraband goods at the border. [contraband: adjective]
bootleg
Example
He was arrested for selling bootleg DVDs on the street corner. [bootleg: adjective]
Example
She downloaded a bootleg copy of the album from a file-sharing site. [bootleg: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bootleg is more commonly used in everyday language than contraband. Bootleg is often used to describe unauthorized copies of media, such as music or movies, while contraband is less common and usually associated with more serious illegal activities, such as drug trafficking or smuggling.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contraband and bootleg?
Contraband is typically used in more formal or legal contexts, while bootleg is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
