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bootleg

verb · noun · adjective

Simple meaning

To make, transport and/or sell an illegal version or copy of a copyrighted product.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

bootleg

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US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈbutlɛɡ

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

verb

  1. ambitransitive

    To make, transport and/or sell an illegal version or copy of a copyrighted product.

noun

  1. An illegally produced, transported, or sold product.

  2. The part of a boot above the instep

adjective

  1. Illegally produced, transported, or sold.

  2. Being an inferior imitation of something, possibly a counterfeit.

Word at a Glance

Difficulty
C1 · Advanced (estimated)
Frequency
Uncommon

More ways to use bootleg

  • “Bootleg tapes of the diva's singing.”verb

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Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

Make / sell

bootleg liquorbootleg ginselling bootleg

Whiskey

bootleg whiskey

Other combinations

bootleg seriesbootleg boozebootleg whiskybootleg recordings

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.