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forbid

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /fɚˈbɪd/ · UK /fəˈbɪd/

Forms: forbids, forbidding, forbade, forbidden

forbid means: To tell someone they must not do something, or make a rule against it.

verb

NOT ALLOWB1

To tell someone they must not do something, or make a rule against it.

  • They forbid smoking here.
  • My parents forbade me to go.
  • The rules forbid visitors from feeding the animals.

How to use it: forbid someone to do something (The doctor forbade him to drive.); forbid someone from doing something (They forbid staff from using personal phones at work.); forbid doing something (The club forbids taking photographs inside.)

Similar words: ban, prohibit, disallow

Opposites: allow, permit

Common phrases: forbid someone entry, forbid smoking, forbid someone to

PREVENTC2

To make something impossible because of a difficult situation or condition.

  • The storm forbade further travel.
  • Steep cliffs forbid any approach from the sea.
  • His poor health forbids such a demanding journey.

Similar words: prevent, preclude, hinder

Opposites: enable

Common phrases: forbid any approach, forbid further travel, forbid all passage

Questions about forbid

What does forbid mean?

To tell someone they must not do something, or make a rule against it.

What is forbid in other languages?

Türkçe: yasaklamak · Español: prohibir · Français: interdire · Deutsch: verbieten · Italiano: vietare · 日本語: 禁じる

What does forbade mean?

“forbade” is the past tense of “forbid”.

How do you pronounce forbid?

In American English /fɚˈbɪd/; in British English /fəˈbɪd/.

How do you use forbid in a sentence?

They forbid smoking here. My parents forbade me to go.

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