smuggling
/ˈsmʌɡlɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [smˈʌɡlɪŋ] /ˈsmʌɡlɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [smˈʌɡlɪŋ] /ˈsmə-gəl How to pronounce smuggle (audio)/ (ame, mw)
smuggling — noun
1. the secret and illegal activity of moving goods or people into, out of, or acros
the secret and illegal activity of moving goods or people into, out of, or across a place where the law or officials forbid it
Customs officers linked the late-night boat to cigarette smuggling across the river.
smuggling + across + route for illegal movement
Kofi admitted that his uncle made money from smuggling fuel over the mountain road.
make money from smuggling + goods
The report describes child smuggling through the desert as a growing regional crime.
Police broke up a smuggling ring that hid rare birds inside food crates.
- trafficking
often suggests a larger organised criminal business, especially with drugs, weapons, or people
- bootlegging
narrower; usually refers to alcohol or copied media, not people or general contraband
- contraband trade
formal phrase that stresses illegal goods more than the hidden journey
- legal trade
movement of goods through official channels with the required documents and duties
文法句型
smuggling of + noun
be involved in smuggling
smuggling across/into/out of + place
用法筆記
Often followed by of when naming what is moved, as in smuggling of fuel or smuggling of migrants. In news reports, it commonly appears with nearby nouns such as ring, route, network, and operation.
常見錯誤
smuggling — verb
- smugglingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- smugglings3rd person singular
- smugglinging-ing form
- smugglingedpast simple
1. moving goods or people secretly across a border or through customs in order to b
moving goods or people secretly across a border or through customs in order to break the law or avoid paying duty
Border police caught Brandon smuggling gold bars into Turkey beneath sacks of rice.
smuggling + goods + into + country
The gang was smuggling migrants across the channel in an overloaded fishing boat.
smuggling + people + across + route
Officers stopped a lorry that was smuggling untaxed alcohol out of the port.
Investigators say the network kept smuggling phones past customs in coffee tins.
- traffic (in)
stronger and more organised; often used for criminal trade rather than one hidden trip
- run
informal; often focuses on one trip carrying illegal goods
- bootleg
limited to certain illegal goods such as alcohol or copied media, never people
- declare at customs
state the goods openly to officials instead of hiding them
- import legally
bring goods in through official channels with duties paid
文法句型
smuggling + noun + across/into/out of/past + noun
用法筆記
This sense normally names a border, port, checkpoint, or customs barrier. The object is usually contraband, untaxed goods, cash, or people; if no legal crossing or customs issue is involved, sense 2 is more natural.
常見錯誤
2. secretly bringing a small thing into or out of a place where rules do not allow
secretly bringing a small thing into or out of a place where rules do not allow it, such as a classroom, office, or cinema
Layla kept smuggling chocolate into the library during the long revision week.
smuggling + food + into + place against rules
The boys were smuggling water balloons onto the bus for the school trip.
smuggling + object + onto + vehicle
A teacher caught Gabriel smuggling his phone into the exam room.
Indra laughed when she saw her brother smuggling biscuits out of the kitchen drawer.
- sneak
broader and more common; can describe either people or objects moving secretly
- slip in
lighter in tone and often suggests a quick, quiet action
- bring in secretly
plain-English paraphrase that stresses the hidden action without the criminal tone of sense 1
文法句型
smuggling + noun + into/out of/onto + noun
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this use is about avoiding local rules rather than crossing a legal border. It is most common with small everyday objects and places such as schools, cinemas, hospitals, or family kitchens.