taboo — a social or religious custom prohibiting or forbidding discussion of a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a social or religious custom prohibiting or forbidding discussion of a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing
Pronunciation (IPA): /təˈbuː/
Example Sentences
- In our office, asking the boss about his toupee is absolutely taboo.
- Money talk used to be taboo, but millennials discuss their debts openly on social media.
- Breaking the taboo against pineapple on pizza, the restaurant became famous overnight.
taboo
NOUN[/təˈbuː/]
a social or religious custom prohibiting or forbidding discussion of a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing
Even mentioning the taboo subject made the entire meeting freeze.
The TABOO subject earned immediate BOOs from the crowd. (TAB + BOO → open the forbidden TAB and everyone BOOs)
They broke the taboo to pursue a medical breakthrough that could save lives.
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Tongan 'tabu' or 'tapu', meaning 'forbidden' or 'sacred', borrowed into English via European explorers and traders in the Pacific islands during the 18th century.
Breakdown
tabu (Tongan: forbidden/sacred) - no further morphemic breakdown as it is a loanword adopted directly into English
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“In our office, asking the boss about his toupee is absolutely taboo.”
“Money talk used to be taboo, but millennials discuss their debts openly on social media.”
“Breaking the taboo against pineapple on pizza, the restaurant became famous overnight.”
“Mental health was once a taboo topic, but awareness campaigns have changed public attitudes.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.