llicit is an adjective that means not allowed by laws, while elicit is a verb that means to get something from someone, such as a response or reaction. Illicit and elicit may sound almost the same, but they are different words.
When to Use Illicit
We use Illicit as an adjective when describing something illegal or against the laws or rules.
Illicit as an Adjective
She made a backward glance when caught with illicit drugs.
The man was caught with illicit diamond exports.
He brought illicit goods from the nearby port.
When to Use Elicit
We use elicit as a verb when drawing out a reaction or response from someone.
Elicit as a Verb
Lany is trying to elicit a reaction from her friend by giving presents.
I want to elicit a response from my mother by asking a question.
He’s hoping to elicit a reaction from his wife by hugging her.
Illicit vs. Elicit: What’s the Difference?
Illicit is an adjective that means illegal, while elicit is a verb that evokes a response or a fact from someone. Although illicit and elicit may sound almost the same, they are different words and have different parts of speech.Therefore, illicit is an adjective while elicit is a verb. Remember, to avoid confusion, illicit has double “l” and is close to the word “illegal.”
References:
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online. (n.d.). Elicit. In https://www.ldoceonline.com/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/elicit
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online. (n.d.). Illicit. In https://www.ldoceonline.com/ dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/illicit
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Elicit. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elicit
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Illicit. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illicit