How Do You Spell UNLAWFUL?

Pronunciation: [ʌnlˈɔːfə͡l] (IPA)

The word "unlawful" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˌʌnˈlɔːfəl/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short U sound, like in "cup." The second syllable has the long A sound, like in "saw." The third syllable is pronounced with a short O sound, like in "lot," and the last syllable has the schwa sound, as in "ago." This word means prohibited or not allowed by law. It is important to spell it correctly to avoid confusion and possible legal consequences.

UNLAWFUL Meaning and Definition

1. Unlawful is an adjective that refers to an action, behavior, or practice that is against the law, illegal, or not allowed by legal statutes or regulations. It implies a violation, transgression, or non-compliance with the established laws or rules of a particular jurisdiction.

   Something that is unlawful is prohibited by the law, making it subject to legal consequences such as fines, imprisonment, or other penalties. It suggests a breach of legal authority, a disregard for societal norms, or a nonadherence to the prescribed legal framework.

   Unlawful actions can vary depending on the jurisdiction and legal system in place. Activities such as theft, fraud, assault, or murder are universally recognized as unlawful in most legal systems worldwide. However, certain actions that may be deemed lawful in one jurisdiction could be considered unlawful or criminal in another.

   The determination of whether an action is unlawful often relies on the interpretation and enforcement of legislative statutes, judicial decisions, and legal precedents. To establish something as unlawful, it generally requires a clear demonstration that the act or behavior is expressly forbidden or prohibited by an authority, whether it be at the local, state, national, or international level.

   The term "unlawful" highlights the importance of adhering to legal principles and maintaining social order within a legal framework. It signals that a particular action or behavior goes against established laws, emphasizing the need for compliance and adherence to the legal system to maintain a just and orderly society.

2. • Unlawfulness.

   • Contrary to law; illegal.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for UNLAWFUL *

• unlawfull 72%
• unlawfu 12%
• ulawful 8%
• unlwaful 8%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for UNLAWFUL

• unlawul
• unlawfuly
• unlaweful
• unarful
• uncaeful
• uncarful
• unlawlful

Etymology of UNLAWFUL

The word "unlawful" derives from the combination of two elements: "un-" and "lawful".

The prefix "un-" is a widely used prefix in English which is added to the beginning of words to indicate negation or the opposite of a particular quality. It is generally derived from Old English and has remained in use throughout the development of the English language.

The word "lawful" comes from the Middle English term "laweful", which is further derived from the Old English word "lagufull". "Lagufull" is a combination of "lagu" meaning "law" and "full" meaning "full of" or "filled with".

Similar spelling words for UNLAWFUL

• unlawfully,
• unhelpful.