prohibited: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Official, Legal
Quick answer
What does “prohibited” mean?
Not allowed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Not allowed; formally forbidden by an authority, law, or rule.
Barred from happening or being done; prevented by a specific injunction or regulation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the word identically in terms of meaning and register. The spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more formal and authoritative in British legal contexts, but the difference is negligible.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties, with high frequency in legal, regulatory, and official documents.
Grammar
How to Use “prohibited” in a Sentence
Prohibited + from + -ing (He was prohibited from leaving.)Prohibited + by + noun (prohibited by regulations)Prohibited + noun (a prohibited substance)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “prohibited” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council prohibits parking on the pavement.
- The software license prohibits reverse engineering.
American English
- State law prohibits texting while driving.
- The contract prohibits disclosure of trade secrets.
adverb
British English
- This is a prohibitively expensive solution. (Note: 'prohibitively' as adverb from 'prohibitive')
American English
- The costs rose prohibitively high. (Note: 'prohibitively' as adverb from 'prohibitive')
adjective
British English
- Carrying a knife is a prohibited offence.
- They entered a prohibited area of the military base.
American English
- This is a prohibited substance under NCAA rules.
- The sign said 'Parking Prohibited'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to activities, clauses in contracts, or trade restrictions (e.g., 'The merger was prohibited by antitrust laws.').
Academic
Used in legal, ethical, or historical studies (e.g., 'The practice was prohibited under the new ethical guidelines.').
Everyday
Used for rules and signs, especially in public spaces (e.g., 'Smoking is prohibited in this building.').
Technical
Common in legal, aviation, and regulatory fields (e.g., 'The use of that chemical is prohibited by EU directive.').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “prohibited”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “prohibited”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prohibited”
- Confusing 'prohibited' (adjective) with 'prohibit' (verb) in sentence structure. Incorrect: 'They prohibited smoking here.' Correct: 'Smoking is prohibited here.' or 'They prohibit smoking here.'
- Incorrect preposition: 'prohibited to do' (sometimes acceptable, but formal) vs. the more common 'prohibited from doing'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Prohibited' is more formal and often implies a legal, official, or written rule. 'Forbidden' can be more general, ranging from official rules to personal or moral restrictions.
Yes, but the verb form is 'prohibit'. 'Prohibited' is primarily the past tense/past participle of the verb ('They prohibited it') and an adjective ('It is prohibited').
Most commonly 'from' + -ing form (prohibited from entering). It can also be followed by 'by' + the source of the prohibition (prohibited by law).
Yes, significantly. 'Not allowed' is neutral and informal. 'Prohibited' carries the weight of authority, rules, and often legal consequences.
Not allowed.
Prohibited is usually formal, official, legal in register.
Prohibited: in British English it is pronounced /prəˈhɪb.ɪ.tɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /proʊˈhɪb.ə.t̬ɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Off limits (colloquial equivalent for 'prohibited area')”
- “A no-go zone”
- “Verboten (borrowed from German for emphasis)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PRO + HIBIT (like 'inhibit') + ED. A PRO-fessional HIBIT (habit) of saying 'NO' is established (-ED).
Conceptual Metaphor
A WALL/BARRIER (something prohibited is blocked off). A RED LIGHT/TRAFFIC SIGNAL (a signal to stop).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best synonym for 'prohibited' in a formal legal context?