How to Pronounce “illicit”
Free audio in American, British, and Australian English.
▶ Hear it pronouncedIPA Transcription
- American (US)
- /ɪˈlɪsɪt/
- British (UK)
- /ɪˈlɪsɪt/
What “illicit” means
adjective — Not approved by law, but not invalid.
Example: The bigamous marriage, while illicit, was not invalid.
Pronunciation Notes
Where the stress falls. “illicit” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ɪˈlɪsɪt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "illicit" mean?
illicit (adjective): Not approved by law, but not invalid. For example — The bigamous marriage, while illicit, was not invalid.
How do you pronounce "illicit" in American vs British English?
Both accents use the same sequence of phonemes for "illicit", /ɪˈlɪsɪt/, so the difference you hear is in how the vowels are coloured rather than in which sounds are used. Play both on this page to compare.
What is the IPA transcription of "illicit"?
/ɪˈlɪsɪt/ in American English, /ɪˈlɪsɪt/ in British English.
Which syllable is stressed in "illicit"?
“illicit” has 3 syllables, and the transcription /ɪˈlɪsɪt/ puts the primary stress mark (ˈ) before the second one — so the second syllable is the longest and loudest. The others are said quickly and lightly.
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