tabu

An older spelling of 'taboo', referring to something prohibited or restricted by social or cultural custom.

• 🇫🇷Écriture archaïque de l'adjectif désignant ce qui est tabou, c'est-à-dire interdit ou restreint par des coutumes sociales ou culturelles, souvent considéré comme sacré ou intouchable.

1. Forbidden or prohibited B2 formal

   Something that is banned or not allowed, especially due to religious or social customs.

   • In some cultures, certain foods are considered tabu.
   • The topic of death was once tabu in polite conversation.
   • The islanders regarded the sacred mountain as tabu.

   🇫🇷Interdit ou prohibé

   Synonymes: bannedforbiddenoff-limitsoutlawedprohibitedproscribedverboten

   Antonymes: approvedlicitsanctioned

2. Excluded from use or mention B2 formal

   Something that is not to be discussed, used, or mentioned due to social or cultural restrictions.

   • The subject of his past was tabu among his friends.
   • Certain words are considered tabu in formal writing.
   • The ritual was tabu for outsiders to witness.

   🇫🇷Tabou (interdit social)

   Synonymes: bannedforbiddenoff-limitsout of boundsprohibitedproscribedrestrictedunmentionableunspeakable

   Antonymes: acceptablepermissible

• more tabu comparative form
• most tabu superlative form

A noun referring to a social or religious custom that prohibits the use, mention, or association with something considered sacred, forbidden, or unacceptable.

• 🇫🇷Nom désignant une interdiction sociale ou religieuse qui frappe l'utilisation, la mention ou le contact avec quelque chose considéré comme sacré, défendu ou inacceptable; ce qui est ainsi prohibé ou le fait d'être tabou.

1. Sacred prohibition B2 formal

   A prohibition or restriction in certain cultures, especially in Polynesia, that forbids the use, mention, or interaction with something considered sacred or forbidden.

   • In many Polynesian societies, certain places were considered tabu and could not be entered.
   • The islanders observed a strict tabu against eating certain fish during the ceremony.
   • Breaking a tabu was believed to bring misfortune to the entire community.

   🇫🇷Interdiction sacrée

   Synonymes: banforbiddanceinterdictprohibitionproscriptionrestrictiontaboo

2. Social or cultural ban B2 formal

   A social or cultural restriction that forbids certain actions, topics, or behaviors due to custom, emotional aversion, or moral standards.

   • Discussing personal finances is often a tabu in many social circles.
   • The topic of death remains a tabu in some cultures.
   • There is a strong tabu against speaking ill of the dead.

   🇫🇷tabou

   Synonymes: anathemabanforbiddanceinterdictionprohibitionproscriptionrestriction

   Antonymes: allowancelicencelicensepermissionsanction

• tabus plural form
• tabus' possessive plural form
• tabu's possessive singular form