adj
Common
banned
band
Banned (adj) means Officially forbidden or prohibited. Example: “Smoking is banned in most public buildings now.”
adj
1
Officially forbidden or prohibited.
"Smoking is banned in most public buildings now."
"He was banned from the forum for repeated rule violations."
"Fans were banned from bringing glass bottles into the stadium."
How to use banned
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot allowed by an official rule or authority.
Common pairings
banned from
banned substance
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more banned
- Superlative
- most banned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Smoking is _____ in most public buildings now.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for banned
See all rhymes for banned →Frequently asked questions
What does “banned” mean?
The word “banned” means officially forbidden or prohibited. In plain terms, not allowed by an official rule or authority.
How do you pronounce “banned”?
“Banned” is pronounced band (/bænd/ in IPA).
How do you use “banned” in a sentence?
Here is “banned” used in a sentence: “Smoking is banned in most public buildings now.”
What part of speech is “banned”?
“Banned” is an adjective.
Is “banned” a common word?
“Banned” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between banned and prohibited?
The meanings are very close — both mean officially forbidden. "Prohibited" tends to sound more formal and legal, common on rules and signs, while "banned" is plainer and more forceful, often used for outright, complete forbidding. In practice the two words are used interchangeably in most everyday contexts.
What is the difference between banned and suspended?
Being banned means being forbidden completely, often permanently, from doing something or entering a place. Being suspended means being blocked temporarily, for a set period, after which the person may return. A banned player is out for good, whereas a suspended one is only sidelined for a while.
What is the opposite of banned?
The opposite is "allowed" or "permitted," meaning officially acceptable. "Legal," "authorised," and "approved" also contrast with banned, depending on context. When something once forbidden is made acceptable again, it is often described as "lifted," "unbanned," or "reinstated."
What is an example of something banned?
Many countries have banned smoking in indoor public places, meaning it is legally forbidden there. Other examples include banned substances in sport, banned books removed from schools, or a driver banned from the road after an offence. In each case an authority has officially prohibited the thing in question.
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