Basic Details
Word: Forbid
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To order that something must not be done; to refuse to allow it.
Synonyms: ban, prohibit, bar, disallow
Antonyms: allow, permit
How to Spell Forbid
Syllables: for - bid
Tricky part: The first part is for, not four or fore, and forbid ends with a single d. The d doubles only when an ending is added, as in forbidden and forbidding.
Watch out for: fourbid, forebid, forbidd
Memory tip: Forbid is for + bid. An old meaning of bid is to order, so to forbid is to order that something must not happen.
Idioms and Phrases
- God forbid: Said when you hope something bad will never happen. Example: "God forbid it should rain on the day of the school picnic."
Usage Examples
Example 1: My parents forbid sweets before dinner.
Example 2: Museum rules forbid flash photography near the old paintings.
Example 3: The doctor forbade Nanu from lifting heavy bags after his surgery.
Fun Fact
Forbid goes back to the Old English forbeodan, and German still has a close cousin of it, verbieten.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Choose the only word that can take the prefix for- to make a new word:
for
a) bid
b) allow
c) ban
d) stop
Show answer
a) bid. Forbid is a real word; forallow, forstop and forban are not.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of 'forbid' as it is used in the sentence:
Most schools forbid students from bringing mobile phones to class.
a) prohibit
b) warn
c) ban
d) permit
Show answer
d) permit. Ban and prohibit say the same as forbid; to permit is to allow.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word:
1. arguement 2. occured 3. noticable 4. forbid
a) a disagreement in which people give reasons
b) to order that something must not be done
c) easy to see or notice
d) happened or took place
Show answer
b) to order that something must not be done. Argument drops the e of argue, occurred doubles the r, and noticeable keeps its e; forbid is the correct one.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A sign reading 'Swimming is forbidden' tells you that swimming is ____.
a) not allowed
b) free of charge
c) fun
d) only for adults
Show answer
a) not allowed
2. Choose the correct past tense: Yesterday the guard ____ us to enter.
a) forbade
b) forbidding
c) forbid
d) forbidded
Show answer
a) forbade
