Meaning & use

taboo

noun·Academic

A social or religious custom that forbids or restricts a particular practice, word, or behavior.

See it in a sentence

Discussing salaries openly is still something of a taboo in many workplaces.

The anthropologist studied food taboos that varied widely between the two neighboring communities.

A note on using this word

Can also function as an adjective, as in "a taboo subject," meaning something people avoid discussing.

Words with a similar meaning

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