The taboo meaning is a strong rule, set by custom, religion or social feeling rather than by written law, that forbids people from doing, touching, saying or even mentioning something. Used as an adjective, taboo labels the forbidden thing itself, as in "a taboo subject".
Taboos differ from place to place and change over time. A topic that is taboo at one family dinner table may be open conversation in another home, and something that was unspeakable a few generations ago may be talked about freely today.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
A social or religious ban; something forbidden by customPart of speech
Noun, adjective, and (less often) verbPronunciation
tuh-BOO or ta-BOO, stress on the second syllableWord forms
taboos (plural), tabooed (verb past); also spelled tabuOrigin
Polynesian tapu / Tongan tabu; first recorded in English in 1777Opposite
acceptable, permitted, normal, mainstreamRegister
Neutral; common in news, social science and conversation
Taboo meaning and definition: three ways to use it
- Noun: a ban. "There is a strong taboo against speaking ill of the dead in many cultures." The noun names the rule itself.
- Adjective: forbidden. "Salary is a taboo topic in our office." Here it describes the subject that is off limits.
- Verb: to forbid. "Some communities tabooed certain foods during mourning." This use is rarer and more formal.
To define taboo in a single phrase: an unwritten "do not" that most members of a group feel deeply.
Taboo in example sentences
- For years, talking openly about mental health was taboo in many workplaces.
- Our grandmother still thinks it is taboo to whistle indoors after dark.
- The documentary breaks a taboo by showing how families really talk about debt.
- In some sports, it is taboo to mention a no-hitter or a perfect score while it is still happening.
- Asking someone's age was once a social taboo at parties, though many people no longer mind.
Origin: a word from the Pacific
Taboo is one of the few common English words borrowed from Polynesian languages. English writers first set it down in 1777, in a published account of one of Captain James Cook's Pacific voyages, which reported the word from Tonga. Related forms include tapu in Tahitian and Maori and kapu in Hawaiian. In those cultures the word marked something as sacred, set apart or forbidden, often because it was spiritually powerful, not because it was dirty or shameful.
English speakers soon used it for any strong prohibition, and the noun and verb uses are English developments. Some sources say the original word meant simply "sacred", but linguists reconstruct an older Oceanic form, tabu, with the joined sense of sacred and forbidden.
Taboo, illegal and rude: how they differ
| Word | Who sets the rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Taboo | Custom, religion, shared feeling | Discussing a death in the family at a celebration |
| Illegal | The law, with formal penalties | Driving without a license |
| Rude | Ordinary manners | Talking loudly on the phone in a library |
| Forbidden / prohibited | Any authority, often explicit | Photography inside the museum |
Taboos often run deeper than manners. Breaking one can bring shame, gossip or exclusion rather than a fine. Some taboos are also laws, but many are not. Close religious ideas include blasphemy, and in Islamic law the forbidden is called haram, the opposite of halal.
Why taboos exist
Researchers in anthropology and sociology study taboos as clues to what a group values or fears. Taboos may protect health (avoiding certain foods), keep family structures clear (rules on who may marry whom), show respect for the dead, or mark sacred spaces. Others survive mainly from habit. Because they are tied to culture, describing them calls for care and respect rather than judgment.
Common phrases with taboo
- break a taboo: do or say what is forbidden, often on purpose to start a conversation
- a taboo subject / topic: something people avoid discussing
- a social taboo / cultural taboo: a ban held by society at large
- taboo words: swear words and slurs, which linguists also study
- lift a taboo: make something acceptable to talk about again
Explore related vocabulary in the everyday vocabulary collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is a taboo in simple words?
A taboo is something people in a group agree you should not do or talk about, even though there may be no law against it. Breaking it usually brings disapproval or embarrassment.
Should I use taboo as a noun or adjective?
Either works. The noun labels the ban itself (a taboo on certain foods), while the adjective labels what is banned (a taboo subject). It can also be a verb, but that use is uncommon.
How do you pronounce taboo?
Say tuh-BOO or ta-BOO, putting the weight on BOO. The first part is short and light.
What is the plural of taboo?
The plural is taboos. For example, many old dining taboos have faded over time.
Can something stop being taboo?
Yes. Taboos shift as societies change. Subjects such as divorce, mental illness and certain health conditions have become far easier to discuss in many places than they once were.
What are some examples of taboos?
Common examples include eating certain animals, speaking a dead person's name in some cultures, discussing salary at work, and marrying close relatives. Which ones apply depends on the community.