adj
Uncommon
forbidding
fuh-BIH-dihng
Forbidding (adj) means looking unfriendly, threatening, or unwelcoming. Example: “The old mansion had a forbidding, gothic look to it.”
adj
1
Looking unfriendly, threatening, or unwelcoming.
"Its forbidding brick and concrete exterior looms over a vast, windswept brick plaza in a style architectural critics, not without admiration, call “The New Brutalism.”"
— , If You Can’t Fight City Hall, Here’s a Different Idea: Sell It (1988)
"The old mansion had a forbidding, gothic look to it."
"Dark clouds gave the mountain a forbidding appearance."
"As we breasted the first summit, the precipitous mass of the Raven's Rock, towering some 250 ft. above the railway, looked grim and forbidding in the failing light, and distant Ben Wyves was shrouded in mist."
— H. A. Vallance, Kyle of Lochalsh Revisited (1951)
How to use forbidding
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes something that looks intimidating or discourages you from approaching.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "forbidden" — forbidding describes an unfriendly appearance, while forbidden means "not allowed."
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- forbiddings
- Comparative
- more forbidding
- Superlative
- most forbidding
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old mansion had a _____, gothic look to it.
Etymology
From forbid + -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for forbidding
See all rhymes for forbidding →Frequently asked questions
What does “forbidding” mean?
The word “forbidding” means looking unfriendly, threatening, or unwelcoming. In plain terms, describes something that looks intimidating or discourages you from approaching.
How do you pronounce “forbidding”?
“Forbidding” is pronounced fuh-BIH-dihng (/fɚˈbɪdɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “forbidding” in a sentence?
Here is “forbidding” used in a sentence: “The old mansion had a forbidding, gothic look to it.”
What part of speech is “forbidding”?
“Forbidding” is an adjective.
Is “forbidding” a common word?
“Forbidding” is an uncommon word in modern English.
