forbid
gb/fɚbˈɪd/ us/fɚbˈɪd/
B1
English
~ 5100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
order not to allow
To say that someone must not do something, or that something is not allowed.
Usage pattern:
forbid [someone] from doing [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often say 'forbid to do' in all cases. Use 'forbid someone from doing' (very common, especially in American English) or 'forbid someone to do' (also correct). Do not say 'My parents forbid me' without an object; add what is forbidden (e.g., 'My parents forbid me from staying out late').
Synonyms
prohibit (More formal and often used in legal or official contexts.)
|
ban (Suggests an official or legal prohibition, often broader in scope.)
|
bar (Emphasizes blocking access or participation.)
Antonyms
allow (General permission is given.)
|
permit (Often formal or official permission is granted.)
Collocations
strictly forbid
|expressly forbid
|the law forbids
|rules forbid
|forbid smoking
|forbid entry
Themes
law
|daily life
|family
|ethics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The school forbids students from using phones during class.
- Our building strictly forbids smoking anywhere inside.
- Her religion forbids her to eat pork.
- Company policy expressly forbids accepting gifts from clients.
- My parents forbid late-night parties in the house.
Learner examples
- The museum forbids touching the art.
- My coach forbids me from training today.
- The app forbids users to share passwords.
- The rules forbid food in the lab.
- They forbid us from entering the area.
Verb
formal
C1
action
2
make impossible; prevent
To stop something from being possible because of a situation or condition.
Usage pattern:
[circumstances] forbid [action]
Common mistake:
This sense is formal and less common. Learners sometimes use it when they mean simple permission. Use this only when conditions make something impossible, not when a person or rule says 'no.'
Synonyms
prevent (General term for stopping something from happening.)
|
preclude (Formal; suggests making something impossible in advance.)
|
prohibit (Overlaps when rules or conditions effectively block an action.)
Antonyms
allow (Conditions make something possible.)
|
enable (Circumstances actively make something possible.)
Collocations
time forbids
|circumstances forbid
|terrain forbids access
|budget forbids expansion
Themes
planning
|work
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Time forbids a longer discussion today.
- Steep cliffs forbid easy access to the beach.
- Budget limits forbid any additional hires this quarter.
Learner examples
- Bad weather forbids travel to the island.
- My schedule forbids a long meeting today.
- The law does not forbid this, but the cost does.
Grammar
Dictionary form
forbid
IPA
GB/fɚbˈɪd/
US/fɚbˈɪd/
Syllables & stress
for - bid (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (for)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: forbid
- 3rd Person Singular: forbids
- Present Participle: forbidding
- Past: forbad, forbade
- Past Participle: forbid, forbidden
Word family
Forms
Related words
prohibit
verb B2
prohibition
noun B2
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: forbidding Verb
- Irregular past: forbad, forbade Verb
- Irregular past participle: forbid, forbidden Verb
Expressions
be forbidden to [verb]
1/bˈi fɚbˈɪdən tə vˈɚb/
fixed phrase
not allowed to do (passive)
Shows that someone is not allowed to do something, in the passive form.
Examples
- Visitors are forbidden to feed the animals.
- Children are forbidden to swim without an adult.
forbid someone from doing something
1/fɚbˈɪd sˈʌmwˌʌn fɹˈʌm dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
order a person not to do
A common pattern showing that a person is not allowed to do something.
Examples
- The coach forbids players from using phones during practice.
- The contract forbids employees from discussing salaries.
forbid someone to do something
1/fɚbˈɪd sˈʌmwˌʌn tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
order a person not to do
Another common pattern; often a bit more formal than 'from doing.'
Examples
- Security forbids visitors to enter after 6 p.m.
- My doctor forbids me to lift heavy boxes.
strictly forbidden
1/stɹˈɪktli fɚbˈɪdən/
fixed phrase
formal
absolutely not allowed
Used to say something is completely not allowed.
Examples
- Photography is strictly forbidden in this gallery.
- Smoking is strictly forbidden on the premises.
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.
God forbid
1/ɡˈɑd fɚbˈɪd/
idiom
Expression hoping something won't happen
Used to say you hope something does not happen.
Examples
- God forbid we ever have another war.
- God forbid something happens to the children.
God forbid
2/ɡˈɑd fɚbˈɪd/
idiom
I strongly hope not
Used to say you really hope something does not happen.
Examples
- If the power goes out—God forbid—we have a backup generator.
- God forbid anything happens to the kids on the trip.
heaven forbid
1/hˈɛvən fɚbˈɪd/
idiom
informal
Strongly hope something won't happen
Used to say you really hope something bad will not happen.
Examples
- Heaven forbid we should run out of coffee!
- Heaven forbid anything should happen to the children.
heaven forbid
2/hˈɛvən fɚbˈɪd/
idiom
let’s hope that doesn’t happen
Another way to say you strongly hope something bad does not happen.
Examples
- Heaven forbid we miss the deadline again.
- Heaven forbid that the rumor turns out to be true.