taboo

noun

an inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or emotional aversion

a prejudice (especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands) that prohibits the use or mention of something because of its sacred nature

verb

declare as sacred and forbidden

adjective

forbidden to profane use especially in South Pacific islands

excluded from use or mention

Roots

taputaboo- · Polynesian · forbidden, sacred

Synonyms for taboo

verbotenadj forbiddenadj prohibitedadj proscribedadj unmentionablen bannedadj forbiddancen interdictedn proscriptionn

Words related to taboo

tapu unforbiddenv forbiddenlyadv fadyadj unsayableadj unmentionablenessn mentionableadj unprohibited unspokenadj prohibitionsn sacrosanctadj sacrosanctityn sacrosanctnessn transgressiveadj broachedadj broachingv

Synonyms & related words for taboo

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of taboo — including verboten, forbidden, prohibited, proscribed, unmentionable, banned. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to taboo

Explore words related to taboo — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include tapu, unforbidden, forbiddenly, fady, unsayable, unmentionableness, mentionable, unprohibited. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for taboo

Common synonyms for taboo include verboten, forbidden, prohibited, proscribed, unmentionable, banned, forbiddance, interdicted — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does taboo come from?

The word taboo breaks down into one root of Polynesian origin: the root taboo-, from Polynesian tapu (“forbidden, sacred”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.