forbidden

adjective

for·​bid·​den fər-ˈbi-dᵊn 

fȯr-

1

: not permitted or allowed

2

: not conforming to the usual selection principles

—used of quantum phenomena

forbidden transition

forbidden radiation

forbidden spectral line

Synonyms of forbidden

• prohibited
• banned

Examples of forbidden in a Sentence

trespassing is forbidden

Recent Examples on the Web

Obsession, a Toronto premiere that has since turned into one of the year’s unlikeliest box-office successes with rare, late-run weekend gains, traces how forbidden desire spirals into supernatural terror. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026

In a discussion that Padilla started about a secret Groundlings show for gross-out comedy, Palmer summoned the ancient name of one of the forbidden Millennial texts. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 May 2026

Less than an hour’s drive from the holiday markets, on the way to Salla and its forbidden frontier, hundreds of Finnish soldiers are training to repel any future Russian invasion. —Liam Denning, Bloomberg, 12 Mar. 2026

Women, whether secular or religious, remain forbidden to read, write or tell stories. —Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing forbidden

• forbidden fruit
• forbidden rice