licit

adjective

lic·​it ˈli-sət 

: conforming to the requirements of the law : not forbidden by law : permissible

licitly adverb

Did you know?

Illicit vs Licit

Licit is far less common than its antonym illicit, but you probably won't be surprised to learn that the former is the older of the two. Not by much, though: the first known use of licit in print is from 1483, whereas illicit shows up in print for the first time in 1506. For some reason illicit took off while licit just plodded along. When licit appears these days, it often modifies drugs or crops. Meanwhile, illicit shows up before words like thrill and passion (as well as gambling, relationship, activities, and, of course, drugs and crops.) The Latin word licitus, meaning "lawful," is the root of the pair; licitus itself is from licēre, meaning "to be permitted."

Synonyms

• lawful
• legal
• legit [slang]
• legitimate

Choose the Right Synonym for licit

lawful, legal, legitimate, licit mean being in accordance with law.

lawful may apply to conformity with law of any sort (such as natural, divine, common, or canon).

the lawful sovereign

legal applies to what is sanctioned by law or in conformity with the law, especially as it is written or administered by the courts.

legal residents of the state

legitimate may apply to a legal right or status but also, in extended use, to a right or status supported by tradition, custom, or accepted standards.

a perfectly legitimate question about taxes

licit applies to a strict conformity to the provisions of the law and applies especially to what is regulated by law.

the licit use of drugs by doctors

Examples of licit in a Sentence

law enforcement agencies are demanding stricter regulation of the sale of licit medications that can later be used in the home manufacture of illicit drugs

Recent Examples on the Web

Saulnier’s script suggests his thorough research into the fine points of police procedure, licit and illicit, and likewise into the intricacies of judicial authority and hand-to-hand combat (including minutiae about firearms and ammunition). —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024

In Guerrero, more than 65% live in poverty, and around 40 criminal groups operate in different licit and illicit activities, according to the International Crisis Group. —Karol Suárez, The Courier-Journal, 25 Apr. 2024

Farmers upstate were growing fields of licit marijuana! —Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024

In trying to please its senior ranks, the army has allowed officers to benefit from criminal enterprises—the army helps preside over Myanmar’s licit and illicit economies. —Avinash Paliwal, Foreign Affairs, 24 Jan. 2024

But animals’ taste for human goods — licit and illicit — can also bring trouble for them and for us. —Emily Anthes, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2023

The only morally licit treatment of an ectopic pregnancy, for a Catholic, besides watch and wait, is the salpingectomy, on the basis that the demise of the pregnancy is an indirect effect of acting to preserve the mother’s life. —Joanna Petrone, Longreads, 18 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle French licite, from Latin licitus, from past participle of licēre to be permitted — more at license

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Legal Definition

licit

adjective

lic·​it ˈli-sət 

: conforming to the requirements of the law : not forbidden by law

licitly adverb