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taboo

ta·boo (ta·bu)

taboo (tabu)

 
 
pronunciation:
tae bu [or] t bu
parts of speech:
adjective, noun, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (adjective, noun), Word Explorer
part of speech: adjective
definition: untouchable, unmentionable, or otherwise forbidden by social mandate.
Marrying one's sister is generally taboo.For women of that time, smoking was a taboo behavior.
synonyms:
prohibited, unmentionable, untouchable, verboten
similar words:
banned, hush-hush, unspeakable
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part of speech: noun
inflections: taboos, tabus
definition: a ban on a subject, action, behavior, or the like, imposed by societal or religious custom.
In some religions, there is a taboo on eating certain foods.
synonyms:
ban, prohibition, proscription
similar words:
anathema, injunction
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: taboos, tabus, tabooing, tabuing, tabooed, tabued
definition: to forbid because of social convention or tradition.
synonyms:
ban, forbid, interdict, prohibit, proscribe, veto
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  action, behavior, tradition