# barred

/ˈbɑɹd/ (US) · /bˈɑːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/barred
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. having stripes

adjective · CEFR B2

having a pattern of stripes or bands of different colours.

For teachers: marked with stripes, bands, or bars of a contrasting colour or texture.

- The barred owl is easy to recognise because of the brown stripes on its chest.
- The biologist noted the distinct barred pattern on the bird's wings, which served as an effective camouflage against the forest floor.

### 2. blocked or excluded

adjective · CEFR B2

prevented from entering a place or doing an activity.

For teachers: excluded from a place, profession, or privilege; obstructed by a physical or legal barrier.

- He was barred from the club after he started a fight with the staff.
- The athlete found himself barred from international competition following a series of controversial statements regarding the governing body's integrity.

### 3. high on Xanax

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang

feeling very sleepy or high after taking too much Xanax.

For teachers: intoxicated or heavily sedated specifically by the consumption of alprazolam (Xanax) tablets, which are often shaped like bars.

- He was so barred that he couldn't even remember the conversation we had.
- The lyrics frequently reference being barred out, reflecting a specific subculture's preoccupation with prescription drug abuse.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'barred out'.

Teaching tip: This is highly informal and specific to drug culture; learners should be aware of it but avoid using it in professional or general social contexts.

## Examples

- The club barred him for fighting.
- After he was caught shoplifting, the security manager barred him from the mall for life.
- The committee voted to ensure that any athlete found using banned substances would be barred from international competition for a minimum of four years.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.