Vocabulary
B1–C1
5 min read
Updated 10 June 2026
Quick answer: Elicit is a verb meaning to draw out or provoke a response, reaction, or answer: The question elicited a strong reaction. Illicit is an adjective meaning illegal, forbidden, or not permitted: illicit drugs, an illicit affair. Memory trick: elicit starts with E for Extract; illicit starts with ill- (as in illegal).
Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|
| elicit | verb | to draw out, provoke, or obtain (a response, answer, or reaction) | The film elicited tears from the audience. |
| illicit | adjective | illegal, unlawful, or socially disapproved; not permitted | Police seized illicit firearms. |
Using Elicit (Verb)
Elicit means to successfully draw out or obtain something — typically a response, answer, information, or emotion — from a person or situation. It implies that something was latent and has been brought to the surface through a deliberate action.
The teacher's question elicited an enthusiastic response from the students.
The comedian elicited laughter from even the most reserved audience members.
It took three interviews to elicit the truth from the witness.
Common collocations: elicit a response, elicit a reaction, elicit information, elicit sympathy, elicit laughter, elicit a confession.
Using Illicit (Adjective)
Illicit describes something that is illegal, unlawful, or strongly socially disapproved of. It often appears in legal and formal contexts.
The police cracked down on the illicit trade in stolen goods.
The novel explored an illicit romance between two characters from rival families.
He was charged with possession of illicit substances.
Illicit vs Illegal vs Unlawful
These three words overlap but are not identical:
- Illegal — directly against the law (illegal parking, illegal immigration)
- Unlawful — not permitted by law, often slightly more formal (unlawful dismissal)
- Illicit — illegal or strongly disapproved of socially; often carries a moral dimension (illicit affair, illicit gains)
Memory Trick
Elicit starts with E — think Extract or Evoke: you are extracting a response. It is a verb (an action word). Illicit starts with ill-, just like illegal — something that starts with "ill" is bad or forbidden. If the sentence requires a verb (doing word), choose elicit. If the sentence requires an adjective (describing word), choose illicit.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1 — Using illicit as a verb
✗ The news illicited strong criticism.
✓ The news elicited strong criticism.
Mistake 2 — Using elicit as an adjective
✗ The police discovered an elicit drugs lab.
✓ The police discovered an illicit drugs lab.
Mistake 3 — Misspelling "elicited" as "illicited"
✗ The question illicited no response.
✓ The question elicited no response.
Mini-Quiz
Test your understanding with an interactive exercise:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between elicit and illicit?
Elicit is a verb meaning to draw out, provoke, or obtain a response, answer, or reaction: "The question elicited a thoughtful reply." Illicit is an adjective meaning illegal, unlawful, or socially forbidden: "illicit drugs, an illicit relationship." They are near-homophones (they sound very similar) but have completely different parts of speech and meanings.
Is elicit a verb or an adjective?
Elicit is always a verb. It means to draw out or provoke a response. You cannot use elicit as an adjective. If you need an adjective meaning illegal or forbidden, use illicit. Examples of elicit as a verb: "The teacher elicited answers from quiet students"; "The speech elicited thunderous applause"; "She couldn't elicit any information from him."
How do I remember elicit vs illicit?
Two tricks: (1) Elicit starts with E for Extract or Evoke — you are extracting a response (verb). Illicit starts with ill- like illegal — it describes something bad or forbidden (adjective). (2) Check the grammar: if you need a verb (action word), use elicit; if you need an adjective (describing word before a noun), use illicit. "The question elicited..." (verb) vs "illicit substances" (adjective before noun).
What does illicit mean exactly?
Illicit means not permitted by law, rules, or social norms — often carrying a moral dimension beyond mere illegality. It frequently describes activities, goods, or relationships that are either against the law or strongly disapproved of: illicit drugs, illicit trade, illicit gains, an illicit affair. The moral flavour distinguishes it slightly from simply illegal: an illicit relationship may not be criminal, but it violates social or moral codes.
What are common collocations with elicit?
Common collocations with elicit: elicit a response, elicit a reaction, elicit information, elicit sympathy, elicit a confession, elicit laughter, elicit a comment, elicit feedback. In education and research, elicit is a technical term: teachers elicit answers from students, and researchers elicit data from participants. The subject doing the eliciting is usually a question, action, event, or person.
What are common collocations with illicit?
Common collocations with illicit: illicit drugs, illicit substances, illicit trade, illicit activity, illicit gains, illicit affair, illicit relationship, illicit weapons, illicit behaviour. In legal and journalism contexts: illicit trafficking, illicit arms, illicit finance. The word almost always describes a noun — it is an attributive adjective used before nouns or a predicative adjective after linking verbs: "The deal was illicit."
Is "illicited" a word?
No — "illicited" is not a word. It is a very common error that combines the spelling of illicit with the verb ending of elicit. The correct verb form is elicited (past tense of elicit): "The announcement elicited widespread debate." If you write "illicited," you have merged two different words. Always remember: elicit is the verb (elicited, eliciting); illicit is the adjective (no verb forms).
Does elicit appear in IELTS or academic writing?
Yes — elicit is considered academic vocabulary (it appears on the Academic Word List). It is common in research methodology contexts: "Data were elicited through interviews and questionnaires." In IELTS Writing Task 2, elicit could appear when discussing media, advertising, or psychology: "Advertising elicits an emotional response in consumers." Using elicit correctly demonstrates high-level vocabulary and will impress IELTS examiners.
How is illicit different from illegal?
Illegal strictly means against the law — it has a legal definition. Illicit can mean illegal but also describes things that are strongly forbidden by social or moral norms, even if not technically criminal. For example, an illicit affair (extramarital relationship) may not be illegal but is socially disapproved of. Illicit gains or illicit funds often appear in financial crime contexts to describe money obtained by unlawful means.
Can illicit be used in formal writing?
Yes — illicit is a formal, academic adjective widely used in legal, journalistic, and academic writing. It appears in official reports: "illicit financial flows," "illicit trafficking in wildlife." In academic essays, it describes forbidden or socially prohibited activities. It is appropriate for IELTS, university essays, and professional writing. Do not confuse it with the verb elicit when you need a describing word — and never write "illicited" as a verb.