Forbidden
/fərˈbɪdn/
Definitions
Not permitted or allowed; prohibited.
/fərˈbɪdn/
Not allowed; prohibited.
Smoking is forbidden in public places.
💡 Simply: Imagine a sign saying 'NO!' to something. Like, it's forbidden to eat candy before dinner. Or, when you see a 'do not enter' sign on a construction site, it's forbidden to go inside.
👶 For kids: Something you're not allowed to do. Like, it's forbidden to run in the library!
More Examples
The doctor forbade him from eating sweets.
She was forbidden to see him.
How It's Used
"The contract contained a clause forbidding any modification."
"Certain foods are forbidden by religious law."
Idioms & expressions
forbidden fruit
Something that is appealing because it is not allowed.
"The new video game had an 'M' rating, making it a forbidden fruit for the younger children."
From Old English *forbēodan* ('to forbid, prohibit'), from *for-* (intensive prefix) + *bēodan* ('to command, announce').
The word has been used since Old English times, often in legal and religious contexts to denote prohibitions and restrictions.
Memory tip
Think of a 'forbid' sign with a red circle and slash - it means something is forbidden!
Word Origin
"to prohibit, command not to"