bootleg

1 of 2

noun

boot·​leg ˈbüt-ˌleg How to pronounce bootleg (audio)
-ˌlāg
Synonyms of bootlegnext
1
: the upper part of a boot
2
: something bootlegged: such as
a
: moonshine
b
: an unauthorized audio or video recording
3
: a football play in which the quarterback fakes a handoff, hides the ball against his hip, and rolls out compare draw entry 2 sense 8
bootleg adjective

bootleg

2 of 2

verb

bootlegged; bootlegging; bootlegs

transitive verb

1
a
: to carry (alcoholic liquor) on one's person illegally
b
: to manufacture, sell, or transport for sale (alcoholic liquor) illegally
2
a
: to produce, reproduce, or distribute illicitly or without authorization
b
: smuggle

intransitive verb

1
: to engage in bootlegging
2
: to run a bootleg play in football

Synonyms of bootleg

Relevance

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of bootleg in a Sentence

Noun She was arrested for selling bootlegs online. getting caught with bootleg during Prohibition could have resulted in a jail sentence Verb He bootlegged the show and gave copies to several friends.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
And yet, this unlicensed, or bootleg, merchandise is a signature stitch in the fabric of fandom, one that fills an integral role in the live entertainment ecosystem. — Matt Martell, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026 An Adidas collaboration features triple shoelaces tied into a bow, recalling Novruzova’s earlier bootleg designs. — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
Lewis bootlegged right from his own 33 while DeAndre Moore cut left off the line and outran the entire Wildcat secondary and into the clear. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2026 Audiences learn about bootlegging during Prohibition, the Underground Railroad and quilting and what that has meant for the Black community and the Black church specifically. — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bootleg

Word History

Etymology

Noun

boot entry 1 + leg entry 1

Verb

derivative of bootleg entry 1, from the concealment of a flask of liquor in the leg of a boot

First Known Use

Noun

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1885, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of bootleg was in 1575

Rhymes for bootleg

See All Rhymes for bootleg

Browse Nearby Words

Bootle
bootleg
bootlegger
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bootleg.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bootleg. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bootleg

1 of 2 verb
boot·​leg -ˌleg How to pronounce bootleg (audio)
bootlegged; bootlegging
1
: to make, transport, or sell alcoholic liquor illegally
2
a
: to produce or sell illegally or without permission
bootlegged recordings
b
: smuggle sense 1
bootlegger noun

bootleg

2 of 2 noun
: something bootlegged
especially : moonshine sense 3
bootleg adjective

Legal Definition

bootleg

1 of 2 noun
boot·​leg
: something bootlegged
bootleg adjective

bootleg

2 of 2 verb
bootlegged; bootlegging

transitive verb

1
: to produce, reproduce, or distribute without authorization or license
2
: smuggle compare pirate

intransitive verb

: to engage in bootlegging
bootlegger noun
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