taboo

¹ta·boo

adjective \tə-ˈbü, ta-\

Definition of TABOO

1

: forbidden to profane use or contact because of what are held to be dangerous supernatural powers

2

a : banned on grounds of morality or taste <the subject is taboo>

b : banned as constituting a risk <the area beyond is taboo, still alive with explosives — Robert Leckie>

Variants of TABOO

ta·boo also ta·bu \tə-ˈbü, ta-\

Examples of TABOO

1. Sex is a taboo subject for many people.
2. In this company, dating a coworker is considered taboo.

Origin of TABOO

Tongan tabu

First Known Use: 1777

Related to TABOO

Synonyms

banned, barred, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed, impermissible (also tabu), verboten

Antonyms

allowable, permissible, permissive, sufferable

Related Words

intolerable, unacceptable, unbearable, unendurable; illegal, illegitimate, illicit, improper, inappropriate, unauthorized, unlawful, unlicensed; ineffable, unmentionable; unseemly, unsuitable; objectionable; disallowed, disapproved, discouraged; refused, rejected, revoked, unsanctioned, vetoed; repressed, suppressed; precluded, prevented, stopped; excluded, ruled out, shut out; blocked, hindered, impeded, obstructed

Near Antonyms

acceptable, bearable, endurable, tolerable; accepted, accredited, allowed, appropriate, approved, authorized, certified, endorsed (also indorsed), lawful, legal, legitimate, licensed, OK (or okay), permitted, warranted; accorded, granted, sanctioned, vouchsafed; brooked, condoned, countenanced; encouraged, promoted, supported; commanded, mandatory, ordered, required; proper, seemly, suitable, tolerated, unobjectionable

Other Sociology Terms

bourgeois, ethos, eugenics, exurb, incommunicado, intelligentsia, megalopolis, metrosexual, mores, subculture

Rhymes with TABOO

accrue, achoo, adieu, ado, Agnew, aircrew, airscrew, anew, askew, babu, Baku, bamboo, battu, battue, bayou, bedew, beshrew, bestrew, bijou, boo-boo, boubou, brand-new, breakthrough, burgoo, cachou, can-do, canoe, caoutchouc, Carew, Cebu, Chonju, construe, Corfu, corkscrew, coypu, CQ, cuckoo, curfew, debut, Depew, doo-doo, ecu, endue, ensue, eschew, floor-through, fondue, fordo, Gansu, Gentoo, Gifu, goo-goo, GQ, ground crew, gumshoe, guru, hairdo, hereto, Hindu, home brew, Honshu, horseshoe, how-to, HQ, Hutu, igloo, imbrue, imbue, IQ, jackscrew, K2, Kansu, karoo, Karoo, kazoo, Khufu, kung fu, Kwangju, leadscrew, lean-to, long view, make-do, Matthew, me-too, mildew, milieu, miscue, misdo, muumuu, non-U, old-shoe, one-two, on view, outdo, perdu, Peru, poilu, prau, preview, pursue, purview, ragout, redo, renew, Renfrew, review, revue, rough-hew, run-through, sandshoe, Sardou, see-through, set-to, setscrew, shampoo, sinew, skiddoo, snafu, snowshoe, soft-shoe, span-new, subdue, surtout, Taegu, tattoo, thank-you, thereto, thumbscrew, to-do, too-too, tree shrew, undo, undue, unglue, unscrew, untrue, vatu, vendue, venue, virtu, voodoo, wahoo, walk-through, wherethrough, whereto, who's who, worldview, yahoo, yoo-hoo

²taboo

noun

plural taboos also tabus

Definition of TABOO

1

: a prohibition against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm from a supernatural force

2

: a prohibition imposed by social custom or as a protective measure

3

: belief in taboos

Variants of TABOO

taboo also tabu

Examples of TABOO

1. religious taboos against drinking alcohol
2. Marrying a close relative is a taboo in many cultures.

First Known Use of TABOO

1777

Other Occult Terms

augury, censor, invocation, lucidity, metempsychosis, mojo, numinous, preternatural, weird, wraith

³taboo

transitive verb

Definition of TABOO

1

: to set apart as taboo especially by marking with a ritualistic symbol

2

: to avoid or ban as taboo

Variants of TABOO

taboo also tabu

First Known Use of TABOO

1777

Other Occult Terms

augury, censor, invocation, lucidity, metempsychosis, mojo, numinous, preternatural, weird, wraith

taboo

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Prohibition against touching, saying, or doing something for fear of immediate harm from a supernatural force. The term is of Polynesian origin and was first noted by Capt. James Cook during his 1771 visit to Tonga, but taboos have been present in virtually all cultures. They may include prohibitions on fishing or hunting at certain seasons, eating certain foods, interacting with members of other social classes, coming into contact with corpses, and (for women) performing certain activities during menstruation. Although some taboos can be traced to evident risks to health and safety, there is no generally accepted explanation of most others; most authorities agree that they tend to relate to objects and actions that are significant for the maintenance of social order.