forbidden
gb/fɚbˈɪdən/ us/fɚbˈɪdən/
B1
English
tilos, tiltott, tabu
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is forbidden; [someone] is forbidden to [do something]; [someone] is forbidden from [doing something]
Smoking is forbidden anywhere inside the hospital.
A kórházon belül mindenhol tilos a dohányzás.
Visitors are forbidden from taking photos in the courtroom.
A látogatóknak tilos fényképezniük a tárgyalóteremben.
The sale of alcohol is forbidden by local law on election day.
Learner examples
Phones are forbidden during the exam.
A vizsga alatt tilos a telefonhasználat.
We are forbidden to enter that room.
Tilos bemennünk abba a szobába.
Common mistake:
Use “forbidden to do something” or “forbidden from doing something,” not “forbidden to doing something.”
Meaning
Not allowed by rules
Collocations
strictly forbidden
|expressly forbidden
|forbidden by law
|forbidden under the rules
|smoking is forbidden
|parking is forbidden
|access is forbidden
|forbidden to enter
|forbidden from using
|forbidden area
Synonyms
prohibited (more formal or official)
|
banned (officially not allowed, often by a public decision)
|
not allowed (simpler and more common in everyday speech)
|
off-limits (often used for places, topics, or activities people must avoid)
Antonyms
allowed (permitted by a rule or authority)
|
permitted (more formal; officially allowed)
|
legal (allowed by law)
Themes
rules
|law
|public_spaces
|authority
Definition
not allowed because of a rule, law, or order
Not allowed by a rule, law, authority, or formal instruction.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[a forbidden topic/desire/relationship]
Their relationship felt forbidden because their families had been enemies for years.
A kapcsolatuk tiltott dolognak tűnt, mert a családjaik évek óta ellenségek voltak.
Politics was a forbidden topic at the dinner table.
A politika tiltott téma volt a vacsoraasztalnál.
The novel explores forbidden desires in a strict religious community.
Learner examples
Their love was forbidden.
A szerelmük tiltott volt.
Money was a forbidden subject at home.
Otthon a pénz tabu téma volt.
Common mistake:
Do not use “forbidden” for every embarrassing subject; “sensitive,” “awkward,” or “private” may be milder and more natural.
Meaning
Socially or morally taboo
Collocations
forbidden love
|forbidden relationship
|forbidden romance
|forbidden desire
|forbidden pleasure
|forbidden thoughts
|forbidden topic
|forbidden subject
|forbidden attraction
Synonyms
taboo (strongly avoided for social, cultural, or religious reasons)
|
illicit (secretly wrong, disapproved of, or illegal; often used for relationships or sex)
|
off-limits (not acceptable to discuss or do)
|
unacceptable (not approved of, but less dramatic)
Antonyms
acceptable (socially or morally okay)
|
approved (accepted by an authority or community)
|
proper (socially correct or respectable)
Themes
relationships
|society
|religion
|morality
|emotions
Definition
too socially or morally wrong to be done or discussed openly
Considered unacceptable or off-limits because of social, moral, religious, or personal boundaries.
Grammar
Dictionary form
forbidden
IPA
GB/fɚbˈɪdən/
US/fɚbˈɪdən/
Syllables & stress
for - bid - den (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (for)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: forbidden
Expressions
403 forbidden
1/fˈɔɹ hˈʌndɹɪd ˈænd θɹˈi fɚbˈɪdən/
fixed phrase
technical
Web access denied error
a website message that means you are not allowed to see the page
Examples
- I tried to open the report, but the site returned a 403 Forbidden error.
- If users see a 403 Forbidden page, check the file permissions on the server.
- The link works for staff, but guests get 403 Forbidden.
Learner examples
- The website showed 403 Forbidden.
- I could not open the page because of a 403 Forbidden error.
forbidden fruit
1/fɚbˈɪdən fɹˈut/
idiom
literary
Desired but prohibited thing
Something you want but are not allowed to have or do.
Examples
- Sneaking into the abandoned house felt like tasting forbidden fruit.
- For many teenagers, alcohol is forbidden fruit.
- For him, breaking the rules was a kind of forbidden fruit.
- The secret club had the allure of forbidden fruit.
forbidden fruit
1/fɚbˈɪdən fɹˈut/
idiom
Tempting because not allowed
something you want more because you are not allowed to have it
Examples
- For teenagers, movies their parents ban can become forbidden fruit.
- The secrecy made the relationship feel like forbidden fruit.
- Luxury goods were forbidden fruit during the years of strict rationing.
Learner examples
- The closed room was forbidden fruit for the children.
- That game became forbidden fruit after my parents banned it.
forbidden love
1/fɚbˈɪdən lˈʌv/
fixed phrase
Taboo romantic relationship
love between people who are not allowed to be together
Examples
- The film tells the story of a forbidden love between people from rival communities.
- Their forbidden love had to remain secret for years.
- Many old stories are about forbidden love and family opposition.
Learner examples
- It was a story about forbidden love.
- Their families did not accept their forbidden love.