taboo

6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for taboo, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A subject, word, or action that is avoided or forbidden because of strong social or cultural disapproval.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

out

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

forbidden prohibited

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

tabu proscribed verboten

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A subject, word, or action that is avoided or forbidden because of strong social or cultural disapproval.

“Discussing salaries openly is still something of a taboo at the office.”

tabu

2. adj

Forbidden or avoided by social custom rather than by law.

“The topic of her divorce was taboo at family dinners.”

forbidden out prohibited proscribed verboten tabu

Opposites

permissible allowable

How to use taboo

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a social taboo break a taboo a taboo subject considered taboo

Etymology

Borrowed in the late 1700s from Tongan tapu, meaning "forbidden" or "sacred," picked up by European sailors visiting Polynesia.

Full origin of taboo →

Frequently asked questions

What does “taboo” mean?

The word “taboo” means a subject, word, or action that is avoided or forbidden because of strong social or cultural disapproval. In plain terms, something people avoid talking about or doing because it feels culturally off-limits, not because a law bans it.

How do you pronounce “taboo”?

“Taboo” is pronounced tuh-BOO (/təˈbuː/ in IPA).

How do you use “taboo” in a sentence?

Here is “taboo” used in a sentence: “Discussing salaries openly is still something of a taboo at the office.”

What part of speech is “taboo”?

Depending on how it is used, “taboo” can be a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “taboo” come from?

The word “taboo” dates back to around 1700. Borrowed in the late 1700s from Tongan tapu, meaning "forbidden" or "sacred," picked up by European sailors visiting Polynesia.

Is “taboo” a common word?

“Taboo” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “taboo” have?

“Taboo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a subject, word, or action that is avoided or forbidden because of strong social or cultural disapproval.

People also searched

out forbidden prohibited permissible allowable

Nearby words

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