taboo
C1Formal, academic, and journalistic. Used in everyday speech to denote strong social prohibition.
Definition
Meaning
a social or cultural prohibition or restriction on a specific practice, behaviour, or discussion.
Something considered forbidden, unacceptable, or unmentionable within a particular society or context; also used as a verb meaning to forbid or proscribe.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a powerful social sanction, often rooted in tradition, religion, or morality, rather than mere legality. Breaking a taboo carries a weight of social stigma.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in core meaning. The spelling is consistent. The verb form ('to taboo') is rare in both varieties but slightly more attested in anthropological texts.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries strong connotations of social transgression. In US media discourse, it is frequently used to describe topics that are politically or socially sensitive (e.g., 'a taboo subject').
Frequency
Comparatively frequent in both varieties, with similar usage patterns in sociology, anthropology, and journalism.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Taboo on/against (doing) somethingConsider/regard/view something as tabooSomething is tabooTo taboo something (verb)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Taboo territory”
- “The last taboo”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'Discussing salary remains a taboo in many companies.'
Academic
Common in social sciences, anthropology, and cultural studies to describe prohibited practices or topics.
Everyday
Used to describe topics considered impolite or offensive to discuss (e.g., death, money).
Technical
In anthropology, a specific term for a ritual prohibition. In linguistics, 'taboo words' refer to swear words.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The ancient ritual tabooed any contact with the sacred grounds.
- Such behaviour was effectively tabooed by the community.
American English
- The practice was tabooed by early settlers.
- They tabooed the mention of the incident.
adverb
British English
- The act was regarded taboo by the elders. (Rare, often 'as taboo' is preferred)
- She spoke taboo about the royal family.
American English
- It's almost taboo to ask about someone's salary. (Adjectival use with infinitive)
- He joked taboo, shocking the audience.
adjective
British English
- Death is still a somewhat taboo topic in many families.
- Eating certain meats is taboo for religious reasons.
American English
- Politics and religion are considered taboo subjects at the dinner table.
- There's a taboo against criticizing the team's captain.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In some cultures, it is taboo to point your feet at someone.
- Discussing your salary with colleagues is often seen as a workplace taboo.
- Anthropologists study the taboos of a society to understand its underlying moral structure.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'TO-BOO' sign on a door—people boo you if you try to enter because it's forbidden.
Conceptual Metaphor
TABOO IS A BARRIER/WALL (e.g., 'break a taboo', 'cross into taboo territory').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'табуретка' (stool).
- В русском 'табу' часто звучит как заимствованное слово, но в английском оно полноценно и широко используется.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'It's a taboo to talk about it.' (Better: 'It's taboo to talk about it' or 'Talking about it is a taboo.')
- Incorrect: 'He taboos the subject.' (The verb form is very rare and stylistically marked.)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'taboo'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is rare and primarily found in academic or anthropological contexts (e.g., 'The tribe tabooed the consumption of the totem animal'). In everyday English, the adjective and noun forms are far more common.
A 'ban' is typically an official rule or law set by an authority. A 'taboo' is an unwritten social or cultural prohibition enforced by custom, tradition, or moral pressure. Breaking a taboo leads to social stigma rather than legal punishment.
Yes, but it's often ironic or hyperbolic. For example, 'In our office, taking the last biscuit is practically taboo!' uses the word's weight to humorously exaggerate a minor social rule.
It entered English in the late 18th century from Tongan (Polynesian) *tabu*, via Captain James Cook's accounts. It originally referred to sacred prohibitions in Polynesian cultures.
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