Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

forbidden

/fɚˈbɪdən/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.96 in modern English

Syllables: for-bid-den
IPA: /fɚˈbɪdən/

16

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Not allowed; specifically disallowed.

verb

past participle of forbid

Example Sentences

"Maſters commands come with a power reſiſtleſs / To ſuch as owe them abſolute ſubjection; / And for a life who will not change his purpoſe? / (So mutable are all the ways of men) / Yet this be ſure, in nothing to comply / Scandalous or forbidden in our Law."
"This kind of immediate control structure we take to be characteristic of the tribe, and it leads to a rather rigid type of system in which 'every action not mandatory is forbidden'."

Etymology

Past participle of the verb forbid. Doublet of verboten. Compare German verboten, Dutch verboden, Swedish förbjuden, and West Frisian ferbean.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /fɚˈbɪdən/
British English: /fəˈbɪdən/

Inflected Forms

more forbidden (comparative) most forbidden (superlative)

Derived Forms

forbiddenly forbiddenness nonforbidden semiforbidden unforbidden

Phrases

Forbidden City forbidden degree forbidden experiment forbidden fruit forbidden fruit is the sweetest forbidden pants forbidden planet forbidden rice

Frequently Paired Words

taboo banished ineligible unlawful

Synonyms

prohibited verboten proscribed banned disallowed forbidden impermissible illegal illicit interdicted nonallowed nonlicet

Antonyms

allowed authorized lawful permitted unforbidden

Rhymes With

hidden ridden overridden midden glidden swidden stridden slidden lidden

Questions

How do you pronounce forbidden?: The recorded pronunciation is /fɚˈbɪdən/.
What does forbidden mean?: Not allowed; specifically disallowed.
Where does forbidden come from?: Past participle of the verb forbid. Doublet of verboten. Compare German verboten, Dutch verboden, Swedish förbjuden, and West Frisian ferbean.

How to pronounce forbidden

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