smuggler

Everyday

A person who secretly and illegally takes goods or people into or out of a country, to avoid taxes or because the goods are banned. tree →

In the lessons

In history (Cornwall, Devon, Yorkshire coasts in the 1700s), smugglers brought brandy, tea and tobacco to avoid tax, hiding goods in caves; many adventure stories (Enid Blyton's, «Moonfleet») feature smugglers. In today's news, smugglers move drugs, weapons and sometimes people, which is very dangerous and cruel. Phrases: «smugglers' cove», «drug smugglers», «people smugglers».

Examples

• The smugglers hid barrels of brandy in the cave. tree →
• In the story, the children discovered a smugglers' tunnel. tree →
• Customs officers caught the smugglers at the airport. tree →
• People smugglers put migrants in dangerous small boats. tree →
• Cornwall is famous for smugglers' coves. tree →
• The smuggler was sent to prison. tree →
• Robbers and smugglers could breathe freely here. tree →

Note

Countable. Verb: smuggle; noun: smuggling. Smuggling is a crime. Spelling: double g — smuggler. Trap: in old stories smugglers can seem exciting, but real smuggling hurts people.