bootleg Definition
- 1to make, sell, or transport goods illegally
- 2an illegally made, copied, or sold product
Using bootleg: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "bootleg" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was arrested for bootlegging alcohol during Prohibition.
Example
They were caught selling bootleg DVDs on the street corner.
Example
The band's bootleg recording of the concert became a cult classic.
bootleg Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for bootleg
Phrases with bootleg
Example
During Prohibition, many people turned to bootleg liquor as a way to obtain alcohol.
Example
I watched a bootleg copy of the new movie that someone had recorded in the theater.
illegally produced or sold merchandise, often related to popular culture
Example
The street vendors were selling bootleg merchandise featuring the characters from the popular TV show.
Origins of bootleg
originally referred to concealing a flask of liquor in the leg of a high boot
Summary: bootleg in Brief
The term 'bootleg' [ˈbuːtleg] refers to the illegal production, sale, or transportation of goods. It can also refer to an illegally made, copied, or sold product, such as a bootleg DVD. Examples include bootlegging alcohol during Prohibition and selling bootleg merchandise featuring popular culture icons. Synonyms include 'pirate,' 'smuggle,' 'counterfeit,' and 'knockoff.'