elicit vs illicit
To elicit is to draw out a response or reaction. Illicit means illegal or forbidden. One is something you do (elicit an answer); the other describes something not allowed (an illicit deal).
The difference
- elicit (verb) — to draw out a response, answer or reaction
- illicit (adjective) — forbidden by law or rules; illegal
Examples
- The question elicited a sharp reply.
- They were caught in an illicit trade.
How to remember
Illicit starts like illegal — both begin 'ill-'.
The common trap
Writing 'illicit a response' — drawing something out is always elicit.
These distinctions are exactly what Word Meaning and Contextual Word Choice questions test. Read the Word Meaning guide or Contextual Word Choice guide, then practise the drill.