Elicit or illicit: which is correct?
Correct
elicit (to draw out) / illicit (illegal, forbidden)
Avoid
illicit (for the verb "draw out")
Avoid
elicit (for "illegal")
Summary
Correct: elicit (to draw out) / illicit (illegal, forbidden) — Avoid: illicit (for the verb "draw out") / elicit (for "illegal"). Elicit = to draw out a response or information (verb); illicit = forbidden by law or custom (adjective).
- Part of speech
- verb / adjective
- Source
- Merriam-Webster
Why
Merriam-Webster: elicit is a verb (from Latin elicere, to draw out); illicit is an adjective (from Latin illicitus, not allowed). They are near-homophones with different parts of speech, so the sentence shows which one belongs.
Examples
- The survey failed to elicit a clear answer.
- Customs officers seized the illicit goods.
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