ill-gotten

[ il-got-n ]

/ ˈɪlˈgɒt n /

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adjective

acquired by dishonest, improper, or evil means: ill-gotten gains.

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of ill-gotten

First recorded in 1545–55

Words nearby ill-gotten

ill feeling, ill-fitted, ill-fitting, ill-formed, ill-founded, ill-gotten, ill-gotten gains, ill humor, ill humour, Illía, illiberal

How to use ill-gotten in a sentence

Perhaps Kim Jong-un, worth a rumored—and ill-gotten—$5 billion, will dig into his own pockets to make good on a 30-year promise.
Nobody’s Home at the Hermit Kingdom’s Ghost Hotel|Nina Strochlic|May 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Prince Charles also announced a plan to ‘follow the money’ in an effort to strip wildlife poachers of their ill-gotten gains.
Harry Leaps To William's Aid|Tom Sykes|February 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was depicted as the “fence”—or the person taxed with selling all the ill-gotten goods for cold, hard cash.
The Real Bling Ring: Where Are They Now?|Tricia Romano|May 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The complaint charges that members of the conspiracy used ill-gotten gains to purchase gold from the owners of the stores.
How to Commit a $200 Million Scam: Inside the Year’s Most Shocking Credit Card Fraud|Daniel Gross|February 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Did portfolio manager A know the information was ill gotten?
The Insider-Trading Cloud Hanging Over SAC Capital’s Steven A. Cohen|Daniel Gross|November 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
If I were a woman I would prefer to lie stretched out at the morgue than be the joint possessor of that man's ill-gotten wealth.
Black Diamonds|Mr Jkai
It did not enter his honest head to envy the dead man his fresh ill-gotten fame.
Jaffery|William J. Locke
To-night you have assisted at our farewell appearance as gilded dispensers of ill-gotten wealth.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
Ye take part of ye'er ill-gotten gains an' leave it with me f'r dhrink.
Mr. Dooley Says|Finley Dunne
The unfeeling relative inherited the nephew's wealth, but, like all ill-gotten gear, it did not bring happiness.
The Mysteries of All Nations|James Grant

British Dictionary definitions for ill-gotten

ill-gotten

adjective

obtained dishonestly or illegally (esp in the phrase ill-gotten gains)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012