forbid

1 of 2

verb

for·​bid fər-ˈbid 

fȯr-

forbade fər-ˈbad  -ˈbād 

fȯr-

also forbad fər-ˈbad 

fȯr-

; forbidden fər-ˈbi-dᵊn 

fȯr-

; forbidding

transitive verb

1

: to proscribe (see proscribe sense 2) from or as if from the position of one in authority : command against

The law forbids stores to sell liquor to minors.

Her mother forbids her to go.

2

: to hinder or prevent as if by an effectual command

Space forbids further treatment here.

Modesty forbids telling what my part was in the affair.

forbidder noun

forbid

2 of 2

adjective

archaic

: accursed

he shall live a man forbid

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms

Verb

• prohibit
• ban
• outlaw

Choose the Right Synonym for forbid

forbid, prohibit, interdict, inhibit mean to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done.

forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

inhibit implies restraints or restrictions that amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the exigencies of the time or situation.

conditions inhibiting the growth of free trade

Examples of forbid in a Sentence

Verb

I forbid you to go!

She was forbidden by her parents to marry him.

She was forbidden from marrying him.

The museum forbids flash photography.

The company's rules forbid dating among employees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Still others turn their front yards into meadows of wildflowers (though some homeowners' associations forbid that). —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 July 2025

One particular enemy of Gauguin’s was Bishop Martin, a Catholic priest on Hiva Oa who did his best to stomp out local custom, forbidding tattooing, Polynesian dancing, and the customary practice of polyandry. —Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 11 July 2025

But Henry Cavill prevailed: his Superman and his nerd-to-die-for Clark Kent were of course gorgeous to look at, but in the first movie especially, both guises carried an erotic charge that’s usually forbidden in the world of comic-book movies. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 11 July 2025

The Chinese have forbidden any fishing or boating on the lake due to conservation commitments, but our guide informed us that occasionally North Korean soldiers will venture with a boat for fishing in the lake. —Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Adjective

Middle English forbidden, from Old English forbēodan, from for- + bēodan to bid — more at bid entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1606, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing forbid

• God/heaven forbid

Rhymes for forbid

• amid
• eyelid
• majid
• outbid
• outdid
• plasmid
• turbid
• undid
• bid
• did
• grid
• hid

Kids Definition

forbid

verb

for·​bid

fər-ˈbid,

fȯr-

forbade

-ˈbad,

-ˈbād

also forbad

-ˈbad

; forbidden

-ˈbid-ᵊn

; forbidding

: to order not to do or to be done or used

I forbid you to go

cameras are forbidden

forbidder noun