Definition of TABOO

taboo

Plural: taboos

Noun

  • a prejudice (especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands) that prohibits the use or mention of something because of its sacred nature
  • an inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or emotional aversion
  • An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion.
  • Something which may not be used, approached or mentioned because it is sacred.

Verb

Verb Forms: tabooed, tabooing, taboos

  • To prohibit or forbid from use, mention, or approach.
  • declare as sacred and forbidden
  • To mark as taboo.
  • To ban.
  • To avoid.

Adjective Satellite

  • excluded from use or mention
    • "a taboo subject"
  • forbidden to profane use especially in South Pacific islands

Adj

  • Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.
  • Culturally forbidden.

Examples

  • The tournament director would TABOO any attempts at cheating in Words With Friends.

Origin / Etymology

Borrowed from Tongan tapu (“prohibited, sacred”), from Proto-Polynesian *tapu, from Proto-Oceanic *tabu, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *tambu. Doublet of kapu. First attested in c. 1777.
The p in the Tongan source was misheard as b.

Scrabble Score: 7

taboo: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
taboo: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
taboo: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

taboo: valid Words With Friends Word