What does forbidden mean?
Word: Forbidden
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Forbidden means not allowed; banned by a rule or a law.
Synonyms: banned, prohibited, outlawed, not allowed
Antonyms: allowed
How do you spell forbidden?
Syllables: for - bid - den
Tricky part: The d is doubled before en: forbiden, with one d, is the usual slip.
Watch out for: forbiden, forebidden
Memory tip: Picture a forbidden room behind two locked doors standing side by side: d and d.
Idioms and Phrases
- forbidden fruit: Something that is tempting because you are not allowed to have it. Example: "The tin of biscuits on the top shelf was forbidden fruit for the twins."
Forbidden in a sentence
Example 1: Swimming is forbidden in the lake because of the strong currents.
Example 2: Photography is forbidden inside some old museums.
Example 3: In the story, the children discovered a forbidden room at the top of the castle.
Fun Fact
The Forbidden City in Beijing was the palace of the Chinese emperors for about 500 years. Its Chinese name, Zijin Cheng, means Purple Forbidden City; it was forbidden because ordinary people could not enter without the emperor's permission.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
f_rb_dden
a) o, e
b) u, i
c) o, i
d) a, i
Show answer
c) o, i. The word opens with for and keeps the i of bid.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
forbidden
a) barred
b) permitted
c) restricted
d) taboo
Show answer
b) permitted. Barred, restricted and taboo all describe things you may not do; permitted is the opposite.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
brdfieodn
a) overridden
b) forbidden
c) foreboding
d) forbidding
Show answer
b) forbidden. There is no g in the jumble, so forbidding and foreboding are out, and overridden has a v.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) forbidden
b) optional
c) permisible
d) compulsory
Show answer
c) permisible. Permissible has a double s, like permission.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. On a road sign, what usually shows that something is forbidden?
a) a yellow board with a bend on it
b) a blue square with a white P
c) a green arrow pointing ahead
d) a red circle with a line across it
Show answer
d) a red circle with a line across it
2. In an exam hall, what is usually forbidden?
a) checking your answers
b) writing with a blue pen
c) copying from a neighbour
d) reading the questions
Show answer
c) copying from a neighbour
