Definitions for taboo

• Definition
• Anagrams (45)

taboo ta·boo

Spelling: [tuh-boo, ta-]

IPA: /təˈbu, tæ-/

Taboo is a 5 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 7 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 8 points.

You can make 45 anagrams from letters in taboo (aboot).

Definitions for taboo

noun

1. a prohibition or interdiction of anything; exclusion from use or practice: Synonyms: ban, proscription, embargo, interdiction; no-no.
2. the system, practice, or act whereby things are set apart as sacred, forbidden for general use, or placed under a prohibition or interdiction. the condition of being so set apart, forbidden, or interdicted.
3. exclusion from social relations; ostracism.

adjective

1. proscribed by society as improper or unacceptable: Synonyms: prohibited, banned, forbidden, proscribed. Antonyms: allowed, permitted, permissible; sanctioned.
2. prohibited or excluded from use or practice:
3. (among the Polynesians and other peoples of the South Pacific) separated or set apart as sacred; forbidden for general use; placed under a prohibition or ban. Synonyms: sacrosanct, inviolable.

verb (used with object)

1. to put under a taboo; prohibit or forbid. Synonyms: prohibit, ban, forbid, proscribe. Antonyms: allow, permit, sanction.
2. to ostracize (a person, group, etc.):

Origin of taboo

1770-80; Tongan tapu or Fijian tabu ‘forbidden, prohibited’

Examples for taboo

As Armstrong writes, “It was not a ‘great objective something,’ but had imprecise connotations of obligation and taboo.”

There seemed to be no taboo on discussion of the Ids with him.

Lingerie—once so scandalous, erotic—was worse than taboo, it was passé.

Would it have revealed a sensual side to Lincoln that has become a taboo subject, and that is much too difficult to document?

Everything was on the table, the promos said; no subjects were taboo.

Yet as Ahmed Antoun in his green turban, he was "taboo" at our little party.

The savage was afraid to utter the real name of his god, it was taboo.

These topics were taboo and Captain Obed soon ceased to mention them.

Our culture is becoming more open-minded about previously taboo subjects.

Now those names were taboo; or, at any rate, they might as well be.