Definitions
- Referring to something that is not authorized by law or rules. - Talking about something that is not legitimate or legal. - Describing something that is not valid or acceptable.
- Referring to something that is forbidden by law or rules. - Talking about something that is not allowed or approved. - Describing something that is morally or socially unacceptable.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe actions that are not authorized by law or rules.
- 2Both words have negative connotations.
- 3Both words can be used to describe illegal or immoral behavior.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Illegitimately is more commonly used to describe actions that are not valid or acceptable, while illicitly is more commonly used to describe actions that are forbidden by law or rules.
- 2Scope: Illegitimately can be used in a broader range of contexts, while illicitly is more specific to actions that are forbidden by law or rules.
- 3Connotation: Illegitimately has a more neutral connotation, while illicitly has a more negative connotation.
Remember this!
While illegitimately and illicitly are similar in that they both describe actions that are not authorized by law or rules, they differ in their usage, origin, scope, connotation, and part of speech. Illegitimately is more commonly used to describe actions that are not valid or acceptable, while illicitly is more commonly used to describe actions that are forbidden by law or rules. Illegitimately has a more neutral connotation, while illicitly has a more negative connotation.
