noun

bootlegger

BOOT-leh-guh

noun

Someone who illegally makes, transports, or sells goods, especially alcohol or pirated copies.

"The bootlegger ran crates of whiskey across the state line at night."

"He was arrested as a bootlegger for selling counterfeit software."

How to Use Bootlegger

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person who deals in illegal goods, historically alcohol during Prohibition.

Common pairings

a Prohibition-era bootlegger a notorious bootlegger

bootleggers plural

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Can you complete this real example?

The _____ ran crates of whiskey across the state line at night.

From "bootleg" + "-er" — originally referring to Prohibition-era smugglers who hid liquor bottles in their boots.

kegger Schwarzenegger