forbidden
fuh-BIH-duhn
Forbidden (adj) means not allowed; prohibited. Example: “The children knew the old well in the garden was forbidden territory.”
adj
1
Not allowed; prohibited.
"The children knew the old well in the garden was forbidden territory."
"This kind of immediate control structure we take to be characteristic of the tribe, and it leads to a rather rigid type of system in which 'every action not mandatory is forbidden'."
— Ian Stewart, Jack Cohen (1999)
"Smoking is forbidden inside the building."
"They wandered into a forbidden area of the castle."
How to use forbidden
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething you are not allowed to do or have.
Common pairings
forbidden fruit
strictly forbidden
forbidden zone
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more forbidden
- Superlative
- most forbidden
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The children knew the old well in the garden was _____ territory.
Etymology
The past participle of forbid.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for forbidden
See all rhymes for forbidden →Frequently asked questions
What does “forbidden” mean?
The word “forbidden” means not allowed; prohibited. In plain terms, something you are not allowed to do or have.
How do you pronounce “forbidden”?
“Forbidden” is pronounced fuh-BIH-duhn (/fɚˈbɪdən/ in IPA).
How do you use “forbidden” in a sentence?
Here is “forbidden” used in a sentence: “Smoking is forbidden inside the building.”
What is the opposite of “forbidden”?
The opposite of “forbidden” — its antonyms — are allowed, authorized, lawful, permitted and unforbidden.
What part of speech is “forbidden”?
“Forbidden” is an adjective.
Is “forbidden” a common word?
“Forbidden” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between forbidden and prohibited?
Both mean not allowed. "Prohibited" tends to be more formal and is common in legal language and on official signs, while "forbidden" can carry a stronger or more personal, moral weight.
What is the difference between forbidden and banned?
"Banned" usually refers to an official prohibition of a specific thing, such as a banned book or a banned substance. "Forbidden" is broader and can describe anything not allowed by a rule, an authority, or custom.
Is forbidden the past participle of forbid?
Yes. Forbidden is the past participle of the verb forbid, which follows the pattern forbid–forbade–forbidden. It is also widely used as an adjective meaning not allowed or prohibited.
What is the difference between forbidden and forbade?
Forbade is the simple past tense of forbid, as in "she forbade it," while forbidden is the past participle, used with a form of "have" or "be," as in "it was forbidden" or "they had forbidden it."
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