forbid

1 of 2

verb

for·​bid fər-ˈbid 

fȯr-

forbade fər-ˈbad  -ˈbād 

fȯr-

also forbad fər-ˈbad 

fȯr-

; forbidden fər-ˈbi-dᵊn 

fȯr-

; forbidding

transitive verb

1

: to proscribe (see proscribe sense 2) from or as if from the position of one in authority : command against

The law forbids stores to sell liquor to minors.

Her mother forbids her to go.

2

: to hinder or prevent as if by an effectual command

Space forbids further treatment here.

Modesty forbids telling what my part was in the affair.

forbidder noun

forbid

2 of 2

adjective

archaic

: accursed

he shall live a man forbid

—William Shakespeare

Synonyms

Verb

• ban
• bar
• enjoin
• interdict
• outlaw
• prohibit
• proscribe

Choose the Right Synonym for forbid

forbid, prohibit, interdict, inhibit mean to debar one from doing something or to order that something not be done.

forbid implies that the order is from one in authority and that obedience is expected.

smoking is forbidden in the building

prohibit suggests the issuing of laws, statutes, or regulations.

prohibited the sale of liquor

interdict implies prohibition by civil or ecclesiastical authority usually for a given time or a declared purpose.

practices interdicted by the church

inhibit implies restraints or restrictions that amount to prohibitions, not only by authority but also by the exigencies of the time or situation.

conditions inhibiting the growth of free trade

Examples of forbid in a Sentence

Verb

I forbid you to go!

She was forbidden by her parents to marry him.

She was forbidden from marrying him.

The museum forbids flash photography.

The company's rules forbid dating among employees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Players are likewise forbidden from doing N.I.L.—name, image, and likeness—deals. —Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024

Then studio head Harry Cohn allegedly forbade Novak from going out with Davis. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2024

This team has, so far, failed to solve its biggest problem from last season: Curry lacks a bonafide sidekick, the kind of No. 2 that can carry a team if Curry has a bad game (those are more frequent these days) or, heaven forbid, is sidelined. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 22 Oct. 2024

For most of his incarceration, the other prisoners are forbidden from speaking to him. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Adjective

Middle English forbidden, from Old English forbēodan, from for- + bēodan to bid — more at bid entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1606, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing forbid

• God/heaven forbid

Kids Definition

forbid

verb

for·​bid

fər-ˈbid,

fȯr-

forbade

-ˈbad,

-ˈbād

also forbad

-ˈbad

; forbidden

-ˈbid-ᵊn

; forbidding

: to order not to do or to be done or used

I forbid you to go

cameras are forbidden

forbidder noun