Definition and pronunciation
taboo /təˈbuː/ or /tæˈbuː/ — noun, adjective, and verb.
- Noun: a social or cultural prohibition or restriction against certain actions, topics, or behaviors.
- Adjective: prohibited, forbidden, or socially unacceptable.
- Verb (less common): to ban or prohibit.
Easy explanation
A taboo is something people are not supposed to talk about or do because society, culture, or religion considers it unacceptable. Examples: talking openly about sex, eating certain foods, or marrying within specific groups.
Grammatical formation
- Noun: taboo (plural: taboos).
- Adjective: taboo subject, taboo practice.
- Verb: to taboo (archaic, rarely used).
Meanings and nuances
- Social prohibition — something forbidden by custom or tradition (e.g., incest taboo).
- Cultural sensitivity — topics or behaviors that are considered off-limits in conversation.
- Religious prohibition — restrictions based on sacred rules (e.g., taboo foods).
- Modern use — describes anything awkward, inappropriate, or unacceptable to talk about.
With prepositions and variants
- taboo against: “There is a taboo against eating pork.”
- taboo on: “There is a taboo on discussing death in that culture.”
Common collocations
social taboo, cultural taboo, sexual taboo, religious taboo, food taboo, marriage taboo, incest taboo, taboo subject, break a taboo, taboo practice
Idioms and neighboring expressions
- break a taboo — challenge a social or cultural prohibition
- taboo subject — an off-limits topic
- cultural taboo — a socially forbidden practice in a specific culture
- sacred cow — something untouchable (similar idea)
Word comparisons
- taboo vs forbidden: taboo = culturally/socially forbidden; forbidden = legally or officially prohibited.
- taboo vs stigma: taboo = forbidden action/topic; stigma = shame attached to it.
- taboo vs restriction: restriction = practical rule; taboo = moral/cultural prohibition.
Real-life examples
- “Incest is a taboo in most cultures.”
- “There’s still a taboo against discussing salaries at work.”
- “Talking about menstruation was once considered taboo.”
- “Eating beef is taboo in Hindu traditions.”
- “She broke the taboo by openly discussing mental health.”
Sample sentences
- “The book explored sexual taboos in society.”
- “It’s taboo to ask about someone’s income.”
- “Divorce used to be a taboo subject.”
- “Breaking taboos often leads to social criticism.”
- “In some religions, pork is a taboo food.”
- “Mental illness is becoming less taboo to talk about.”
- “They studied taboos in different cultures.”
- “He broke a cultural taboo by refusing arranged marriage.”
- “There’s a taboo on discussing death in that community.”
- “Art often challenges social taboos.”
Synonyms
prohibition, ban, restriction, interdiction, no-go, unmentionable, forbidden topic, social barrier, cultural rule
Antonyms
norm, acceptance, custom, allowance, permission, tradition, convention
Related terms
stigma, shame, propriety, morality, modesty, decency, sacred, forbidden
Connection to sexuality
Yes. Taboo is often used in relation to sexuality, such as incest, adultery, homosexuality (in certain cultures), or non-traditional relationships. Sexual taboos vary across cultures and eras, and breaking them often leads to stigma or controversy.
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