Definition

Adjective: Obtained through illegal, dishonest, or unethical means. It describes money, wealth, or gains acquired not by honest work or fair methods, but by corruption, theft, fraud, or other improper actions.

Usage

The adjective "ill-gotten" is almost always used attributively (before a noun) to describe the nature of the acquired thing. It carries a strong negative moral judgment.

Examples

• The dictator was accused of hiding his ill-gotten wealth in foreign bank accounts.
• The court ordered the criminal to forfeit all his ill-gotten gains.
• There is an old saying that ill-gotten wealth never brings lasting happiness.

Advanced Usage

• "Ill-gotten gains": This is a very common and almost fixed collocation. It specifically refers to profits or assets acquired dishonestly.
  • The new law aims to make it easier for authorities to seize ill-gotten gains from corrupt officials.

Variants and Related Words

• Ill-gotten is a compound adjective formed from "ill" (badly, wrongly) and the past participle "gotten." In British English, "ill-got" is a less common variant.
• Ill-got (adj): A less frequent variant with the same meaning.
  • He lived off his ill-got riches.

Synonyms

• Dirty: (of money) obtained illegally or dishonestly.
• Unlawful: not conforming to, permitted by, or recognized by law or rules.
• Illicit: forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
• Fraudulent: obtained, done by, or involving deception.
• Tainted: contaminated by dishonesty or corruption.

Idioms and Proverbs

• "Ill-gotten, ill-spent" / "Ill-gotten gains never prosper": These proverbs express the idea that wealth acquired through wrong or dishonest means will not last or will lead to misfortune. It reflects a common belief in poetic justice.
  • He made a fortune through scams, but lost it all in a year. It just goes to show, ill-gotten, ill-spent.

Adjective

1. obtained illegally or by improper means
   • dirty money
   • ill-gotten gains