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Definition of forbid

forbid

/fərˈbɪd/
for · bid

Adjective:forbidden
•
Past Simple:forbade
•
Past Participle:forbidden
•
Present Participle:forbidding
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forbid Lexical Profile

forbid Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To refuse to allow something, or to order someone not to do something, officially or authoritatively.

Example

"The university strictly forbids students to use electronic devices during final examinations."


2

To make an action or outcome impossible or prevent it from occurring (of a circumstance, condition, or constraint).

Example

"Tightly scheduled work commitments and a limited budget forbid any extended travel this summer."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for forbid
Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

The standard past tense is 'forbade' (pronounced /fərˈbæd/ or /fərˈbeɪd/), though 'forbad' is an accepted variant; the past participle is always 'forbidden'. Syntactically, 'forbid' takes an object followed by an infinitive ('forbid someone to do something') or a gerund ('forbid doing something'), rather than a 'from' construction.

• Rhymes for forbid

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'forbeodan', meaning to command against or prohibit, formed from the prefix 'for-' (against, away) and 'beodan' (to command or offer).

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Forbid. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/forbid
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