noun
Uncommon
taboo
tuh-BOO
Taboo (noun) means a subject, word, or action that is avoided or forbidden because of strong social or cultural disapproval. Example: “Discussing salaries openly is still something of a taboo at the office.”
noun
1
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."
"Many cultures treat certain foods as taboo."
adj
1
Forbidden or avoided by social custom rather than by law.
"The topic of her divorce was taboo at family dinners."
How to use taboo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething people avoid talking about or doing because it feels culturally off-limits, not because a law bans it.
Common pairings
a social taboo
break a taboo
a taboo subject
considered taboo
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Word forms
- Plural
- taboos
- Third person singular
- taboos
- Past tense
- tabooed
- Comparative
- more taboo
- Superlative
- most taboo
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Discussing salaries openly is still something of a _____ at the office.
Etymology
Borrowed in the late 1700s from Tongan tapu, meaning "forbidden" or "sacred," picked up by European sailors visiting Polynesia.
Class of 1700
taboo joined the language around 1700.
See the full Class of 1700 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for taboo
See all rhymes for 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.
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