Forbid

/fərˈbɪd/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to order someone not to do something; to prohibit.

The school does not forbid students from using their phones during lunch.

to prevent someone from doing something.

The law forbids the sale of alcohol to minors.

to make something impossible or impractical.

The high cost of living in the city forbids many families from buying a home.

to express an order against something or someone.

Her parents forbade her from going to the party.

to declare something not allowed.

The organization forbids any form of discrimination among its members.

Middle English 'forbiden', from Old English 'forbidda', meaning 'to prohibit'.

forbid the use of

to prohibit using something

forbidden fruit

something that is desired but off-limits

forbidden zone

an area where entry is prohibited

prohibition

the act of forbidding something by law or authority.

prohibitive

something that is so high that it prevents use or purchase.

interdiction

a judicial order forbidding something.

No can do

I wanted to borrow her dress, but she said 'no can do'.

Not allowed

Sneaking into the party? Not allowed.