taboo — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   It is true indeed that a taboo - in order to be a proper taboo - must not rest in the general mind on argument or reason.

   More examples (1)

   So among the Alfoors of the island of Buru it is taboo to mention the names of parents and parents-in-law, or even to speak of common objects by words which resemble these names in sound.

   The sharp differentiation of the sexes in our culture was shaped most probably by monogamy and monosexuality and their tabus.

   More examples (3)

   For a structuralist like Edmund Leach, the structure is the meaning. Genesis, for example, is about incest taboos; all the rest is noise and mystification.

   American society has a double standard when it comes to sexuality. We have a puritanical taboo against talking about sexuality directly, yet we are fine with the sexual images that pervade television and glossy magazines.

   Now, we assume that people who check their watches at dinner are probably trying to avoid pulling out their phones, which would be ruder and more disruptive. In other words, mass adoption killed the taboo.

2. Something which may not be used, approached or mentioned because it is sacred.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable
   • in Polynesia

Adjective

1. Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.

   Examples

   Incest is a taboo subject in most soap operas.

   Sweets and fats are strictly taboo in my home.

2. Culturally forbidden.

Verb

1. To mark as taboo.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   tabooize

2. To ban or prohibit.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   They lunched, but if the subject of Carrados had been tabooed the meal would have been a silent one.

3. To avoid.

   Usage

   • Transitive

Adjective

1. excluded from use or mention

   Synonyms

   forbiddenoutprohibitedproscribedtabuverboten

   Examples

   forbidden fruit

   in our house dancing and playing cards were out

   More examples (1)

   a taboo subject

2. forbidden to profane use especially in South Pacific islands

   Synonyms

   tabu

Noun

1. a prejudice (especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands) that prohibits the use or mention of something because of its sacred nature

   Synonyms

   tabu

   Broader terms

   biasprejudicepreconception

2. an inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or emotional aversion

   Synonyms

   tabu

   Broader terms

   inhibition

Verb

1. declare as sacred and forbidden

   Broader terms

   restrictcontrol