TABU | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Looking for the meaning of the word TABU in English for both noun and verb forms from the Oxford Dictionary? Below, you can explore all possible meanings and definitions of TABU with sentence examples. You can also use the “AUDIO PRONUNCIATION” track to check the correct pronunciation in British English.

Word: Taboo

Speech Type: Noun

Etymology:

late 18th century: from Tongan tabu ‘set apart, forbidden’; introduced into English by Captain James Cook

Audio Pronunciation:
Phonetic Spelling: təˈbuː
Dialects: British English
Definition:

a social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing

Short Definition:

social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting particular practice

Examples:
  • many taboos have developed around physical exposure
  • the use of violence must remain a taboo in our society
  • Freud applies his notion of taboo in three ways
Variant Forms:
  • tabu

Word: Taboo

Speech Type: Adjective

Audio Pronunciation:
Phonetic Spelling: təˈbuː
Dialects: British English
Definition:

prohibited or restricted by social custom

Short Definition:

prohibited or restricted by social custom

Examples:
  • sex was a taboo subject
Variant Forms:
  • tabu

Word: Taboo

Speech Type: Verb

Audio Pronunciation:
Phonetic Spelling: təˈbuː
Dialects: British English
Definition:

place under a taboo

Short Definition:

place under taboo

Examples:
  • traditional societies taboo female handling of food during this period
Variant Forms:
  • tabu

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