(illegals)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If something is illegal, the law says that it is not allowed.
It is illegal to intercept radio messages...
...illegal drugs.
ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf
• illegally
They were yesterday convicted of illegally using a handgun...
ADV: ADV with v
• illegality (illegalities)
There is no evidence of illegality.
N-VAR
2.
Illegal immigrants or workers have travelled into a country or are working without official permission.
ADJ: ADJ n
•
Illegal immigrants or workers are sometimes referred to as illegals.
...a clothing factory where many illegals worked.
N-COUNT