Standard Lemma guide

bootlegging

noun · verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: B UW1 T L EH2 G IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Engaging in economic production or distribution in an illegal way.

The activity of making, transporting and/or selling illegal alcoholic liquor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

Engaging in economic production or distribution in an illegal way.

The activity of making, transporting and/or selling an illegal version or copy of a copyrighted product.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: piracy

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Engaging in economic production or distribution in an illegal way.

The activity of operating a mine illicitly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

present participle and gerund of bootleg

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

the act of making or transporting alcoholic liquor for sale illegally

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the Prohibition amendment made bootlegging profitable

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: selling, merchandising, marketing

6

noun

Meaning 6

the act of selling illegally or without permission

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the bootlegging of videotapes is common in Asia

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: selling, merchandising, marketing

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.