ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Taboo

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /təˈbuː/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Taboo is a noun meaning An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion.

Meaning

An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion.

More Meanings

  1. (in Polynesia) Something which may not be used, approached or mentioned because it is sacred.
  2. Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.
  3. Culturally forbidden.
  4. To mark as taboo.
  5. To ban or prohibit.
  6. To avoid.

Example Sentences

Incest is a taboo subject in most soap operas.
Sweets and fats are strictly taboo in my home.
It is true indeed that a taboo - in order to be a proper taboo - must not rest in the general mind on argument or reason.
The sharp differentiation of the sexes in our culture was shaped most probably by monogamy and monosexuality and their tabus.

Word Forms

Synonyms for taboo

Depending on context, synonyms include tabooize, sacred, out, prohibited, proscribed, tabu.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include tabu, prohibited, forbidden, impermissible, out, sacred.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.