bootleg
/ˈbutˌlɛɡ/verb, noun, adjective
bootleg is spelled B-O-O-T-L-E-G: 7 letters and 2 syllables. It appears 1.2 times per million words in written English, the 26,420th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a verb, bootleg means “To engage in bootlegging” (English Wiktionary, September 2026).
How many letters and syllables are in bootleg?
| Letters | 7: B-O-O-T-L-E-G |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | 1.2 times per million words; the 26,420th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is bootleg?
Bootleg appears 1.2 times per million words in written English, the 26,420th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce bootleg?
- US /ˈbutˌlɛɡ/
Bootleg has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-bootleg.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of bootleg
- bootlegs present, singular, he/she/it, plural
- bootlegging participle, present
- bootlegged participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does bootleg mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
verb
- 1
To engage in bootlegging.
- 2
USTo make, transport and/or sell illegal alcoholic liquor.
In the 1930s, Grandpa used to bootleg to make ends meet.
- 3
To make, transport and/or sell an illegal version or copy of a copyrighted product.
In the 1990s, Grandpa used to bootleg under some sort of Robin-Hood-esque notion.
- 4
USTo operate a mine illicitly.
In the 1930s, Grandpa used to bootleg to make ends meet.
noun
- 1
The part of a boot that is above the instep.
Holonyms: upper < boot
- 2
An illegally produced, transported, or sold product.
He thinks he can cross this border with bootleg and get away with it. I doubt he's right. Maybe years ago, but not nowadays.
- 3
An unauthorized recording; for example, of a live concert.
Years ago I heard a fantastic bootleg of that song. It was my favorite rendition.
- 4
A remix or mashup that is a combination of two songs but that is not authorized and audited for copyright use; primarily in the electronic music scene.
- 5
A play in which the quarterback fakes a handoff, conceals the ball against his hip, and rolls out.
adjective
- 1
Illegally produced, transported, or sold.
Near-synonym: pirated
- 2
Being an inferior imitation of something, possibly a counterfeit.
bootleg coffee
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Bootleg in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| German | schwarz brennen, schmuggeln , raubkopieren, schwarz herstellen , Stiefelschaft , Kontrabande |
| Portuguese | piratear , cano , contrabando , pirata |
| Spanish | piratear , pirata, bamba |
| French | non-officiel |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does bootleg come from?
From boot + leg. Originally a nickname given to smugglers in King George III's reign, derived from the smugglers' custom of hiding packages of valuables in their large sea-boots when dodging the king's coastguardsmen.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).