Definition of taboo - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
cultureprohibition from social or cultural norms
- Discussing money is often a taboo.
2.
Polynesian cultureTECH. sacred restriction in Polynesian cultureTECH.
- The islanders respected the taboo on the sacred site.
Adjective
1.
socially prohibitedprohibited or restricted by social custom
- The topic is considered taboo in many cultures..
2.
culturesacred and forbidden in certain cultures
- The island has areas that are taboo to outsiders.
Verb
1.
social rulesRare mark something as forbidden by social normsRare
- The community tabooed the discussion of politics.
2.
polite speechRare avoid mentioning due to cultural reasonsRare
- They tabooed the topic during family gatherings.
Expressions with taboo
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topic many people avoid because culture says it is wrong to discuss
Money is still a taboo subject in many families.
Origin of taboo
Tongan, tabu (sacred, forbidden)
Terms with taboo included in their meaning
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culture
topic or concept that is unpopular or taboo
humor
comedy using dark or taboo subjects for humor
dark jokes
comedy using serious or taboo subjects for humor
comedy
humor about serious or taboo subjects
taboo relations
relating to sexual relations between closely related people
taboo subject
topic considered off-limits or taboo
culture
strongly disapproved or taboo
language
any taboo word considered inappropriate in context
family taboo
sexual relations between close family members
taboo worship
group organized around sexual activities, often with rituals or a leader
manners
remark showing a behavior is rude, taboo, or socially unacceptable
satire
comedy that makes jokes about dark or taboo topics
controversy
voice a taboo or controversial opinion
forbidden intimacy
participation in sexual activities that are illegal or taboo
taboo
express something usually too shocking to say
taboo topic
something not to be discussed in polite society
restriction
excluded from use or mention, taboo
dark humor
humor that finds amusement in dark or taboo subjects
sensitive topic
taboo or sensitive subject not directly mentioned
communication
express an opinion on a taboo subject
language
used as a euphemism for a taboo word
communication
acceptable for discussion without being taboo
taboo or sacred
not allowed or too sacred to be spoken
Examples of taboo in a sentence
In many cultures, speaking ill of the dead is a taboo. Breaking a taboo could anger the spirits. The taboo prevented fishing in the lagoon. Discussing politics at dinner is often taboo. In some places, it's taboo to talk about money. Certain rituals are considered taboo in their society.
Eating pork is taboo in some religions. They tabooed any mention of the scandal. The elders tabooed the ancient rituals. The community tabooed discussing the ancient rituals. They tabooed any mention of the forbidden land.
View all translations of taboo
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:tabou, sacré, ...
- German:Tabu, tabu, ...
- Italian:tabù, proibito, ...
- Spanish:tabú, prohibido, ...
- Portuguese:tabu, proibido, ...
- Chinese:禁忌, 禁忌的, ...
- Japanese:タブー, 禁忌の, ...
- Arabic:مَحْظور, مَحْظُور, ...
- Hebrew:טַאבוּ, אָסוּר, ...
- Russian:табу, запрещённый, ...
- Ukrainian:табу, заборонений, ...
- Hindi:वर्जना, वर्जित, ...
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