How to pronounce illegality
Say it like il-ee-GAL-ih-tee. Illegality has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (GAL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce illegality. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- il
- ee
- GAL
- ih
- tee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Illegality pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ilGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- GALSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- teeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of illegality
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: il-ee-GAL-ih-tee.
What does illegality mean?
- the state of being illegal“The criminal was aware of the illegality of his act.”
- a defense to the validity of a contract because it was in violation of the law“When sued for refusing to pay for services provided by a prostitute, the customer raised the defense of illegality.”
Where does illegality come from?
From French illégalité, equivalent to il- + legality or illegal + -ity.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with illegality
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of illegality.
- personality
- functionality
- plurality
- immortality
- originality
- individuality
- fatality
- speciality
- rationality
- criminality
Questions about saying illegality
How do you pronounce illegality?
Say il-ee-GAL-ih-tee. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪliˈɡælɪti/. In British English it is /ˌɪliˈɡælɪti/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in illegality?
Illegality has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (GAL). Broken into parts: il · ee · GAL · ih · tee.
Is illegality pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˌɪliˈɡælɪti/ (il-ee-GAL-ih-tee).