taboo
/təˈbuː/ (bre, ipa) · [tæbˈu] /təˈbuː/ (ame, ipa) · [tæbˈu] /tə-ˈbü How to pronounce taboo (audio) ta-/ (ame, mw)
taboo — noun
- taboosingular
- taboosplural
1. something that a society or group avoids talking about or doing because their tr
something that a society or group avoids talking about or doing because their traditions or beliefs mark it as wrong, offensive, or harmful.
In many communities, there is a strong taboo against discussing personal income with coworkers.
taboo against + gerund (discussing)
Mei-Lin broke the family taboo by mentioning her grandfather's gambling debts at dinner.
break + taboo
The old taboo about eating certain foods during pregnancy has largely disappeared in modern times.
Kwame noted that the villagers still observe a taboo against cutting trees in the sacred grove.
Mental health was surrounded by taboo in Haruto's workplace until the company hired a full-time counsellor in 2022.
- prohibition
sounds more official or legal; a prohibition is imposed by authority, while a taboo arises from cultural or religious custom
- ban
stronger and more formal; a ban is an official rule, whereas a taboo is often an unwritten social rule
- stigma
focuses on the shame attached to something rather than the act of avoiding it
- acceptance
the opposite of avoidance — when a subject is welcomed or viewed as normal
文法句型
taboo against + noun/gerund
break/violate + taboo
用法筆記
Often used with verbs like break, violate, or observe. The preposition against introduces the forbidden activity: a taboo against doing something. Taboo can be countable (a taboo / taboos) or uncountable (subject to taboo).
常見錯誤
taboo — adjective
- taboopositive
- more taboocomparative
- most taboosuperlative
1. describes something that people in a particular society or group do not say, men
describes something that people in a particular society or group do not say, mention, or do because their culture, religion, or social rules treat it as wrong, offensive, or embarrassing.
In Sofia's family, it is still taboo to ask older relatives how much they paid for their homes.
it is taboo to + infinitive
The topic of religion was considered taboo at David's workplace, so everyone avoided it.
considered taboo — passive pattern
Elena found adoption a taboo subject in her traditional family, though no one said so directly.
Words like 'cancer' and 'divorce' were once taboo on American evening news but now appear in regular coverage.
The young artist refused to treat any subject as taboo and painted whatever she found interesting.
- forbidden
wider in scope; something can be forbidden by a person or law, whereas taboo is rooted in cultural/religious custom
- unmentionable
suggests that people avoid the topic because it is embarrassing, not necessarily for religious reasons
- off-limits
informal; suggests an active rule or boundary rather than a long-standing cultural norm
- acceptable
the general opposite — when a subject is freely discussed or done without disapproval
文法句型
be taboo
it is taboo to + verb
find/consider + object + taboo
用法筆記
Predominantly used predicatively (The subject is taboo) rather than attributively (?a taboo subject is borderline — a taboo topic or taboo word is more idiomatic than a taboo thing). Stronger than unacceptable because it implies cultural or religious avoidance, not just personal discomfort.
常見錯誤
taboo — verb
- taboopresent simple I / you / we / they
- taboos3rd person singular
- tabooing-ing form
- tabooedpast simple
1. to officially or ritually declare that a place, object, action, or person is sac
to officially or ritually declare that a place, object, action, or person is sacred and must not be touched, used, entered, or spoken about, especially within a religious or traditional cultural framework.
The native elders tabooed the entire island after the chief's death, forbidding anyone to land there.
tabooed as a ritual act
In ancient Hawaii, certain fish were tabooed during the spawning season to allow the population to recover.
The priestess tabooed the temple's inner chamber, warning that only the high priest could enter.
The tribe tabooed the use of iron tools on the sacred mountain centuries ago.
- consecrate
focuses on making something sacred rather than forbidding it; consecrate has a positive religious meaning
- sanctify
similar to consecrate; emphasizes setting apart as holy
- desecrate
to treat something sacred in a disrespectful way
文法句型
be tabooed (as/for something)
taboo + noun
用法筆記
This sense is the original historical meaning, closely tied to Polynesian cultural practices. Frequently appears in the passive voice (was tabooed). In modern English, this use is rare outside anthropology, history, or religious studies.
常見錯誤
2. to stop using, mentioning, or allowing a subject, word, or practice because soci
to stop using, mentioning, or allowing a subject, word, or practice because society or a particular group considers it unacceptable, offensive, or dangerous.
The committee tabooed any public discussion of the corruption allegations during the investigation.
tabooed + any + noun phrase
Many schools have effectively tabooed the use of certain outdated textbooks that contain offensive stereotypes.
passive: have been tabooed
No one formally tabooed widows wearing only white, but the custom faded as younger women chose brighter colours.
The government has effectively tabooed the use of certain traditional medicines by refusing to certify them.
- permit
to allow something to be done or discussed freely
文法句型
be tabooed
taboo + noun (topic/practice/word)
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb sense 1: this sense is about banning discussion or use because of social unacceptability (without a religious/ritual context). The passive form is common: an issue is tabooed. This sense is still quite formal; in everyday English, people are more likely to say banned, prohibited, or stopped than tabooed.