Word
forbid
Phoneticsfor·bid, stress on the second syllable
US/fɝˈbɪd/
UK/fəbˈɪd/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
forbid
Past
forbade
Past participle
forbidden
Definitions
01to disallow an action
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to officially say that something is not allowed.
v. to prohibit an action or behaviour by authority or law. Transitive; often followed by a gerund or a 'to' infinitive.
日本語:禁じる※
“The school rules strictly forbid students from using their phones during lessons.”
“The new environmental regulations forbid the dumping of industrial waste into the local river system, carrying heavy fines for any violations.”
Pitfall
The law forbids to smoke here.
The law forbids smoking here.
When 'forbid' is used without a person as an object, it is usually followed by a gerund (-ing form) rather than an infinitive.
02to order someone not to do something
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to tell someone they are not allowed to do something or go somewhere.
v. to command a person or group not to do something or to stay away from a location. Often takes a direct object followed by 'to' and an infinitive.
日本語:禁じる※
“Her parents forbid her to go out late on school nights.”
“The judge issued an injunction that would forbid the defendant to contact any witnesses involved in the ongoing investigation.”
03to make impossible
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to prevent something from happening or make it impossible.
v. to hinder or prevent an occurrence as if by a command; to make something impossible through circumstances.
“The lack of time forbids a longer discussion on this topic today.”
“The sheer scale of the project forbids a quick resolution, requiring instead a multi-year commitment from all stakeholders involved.”
Usage
Often used with an abstract subject like 'time', 'circumstances', or 'nature'.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “forbid” in context.
Verb
01. expressly forbid the practice
“The new regulations expressly forbid the practice of sharing passwords.”
adv + verb
02. forbid students to use phones
“The school rules strictly forbid students to use phones during lessons.”
verb + noun + infinitive
03. forbid that anyone should enter
“The law forbids that anyone should enter the building without a permit.”
verb + that-clause
Noun
04. law forbids the use
“International law forbids the use of chemical weapons in conflict.”
noun + verb
05. religion forbids the consumption
“Their religion forbids the consumption of certain types of meat.”
noun + verb
Adverb
06. absolutely forbid the activity
“My parents absolutely forbid the activity until I finish my homework.”
adv + verb
07. strictly forbid the sale
“Local authorities strictly forbid the sale of alcohol to minors.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“The law forbids "traditional Muslim" head coverings, such as hijabs or burkas, in public and private schools across the country.” Etymology
From Middle English forbeden, from Old English forbēodan (“to forbid, prohibit, restrain, refuse, repeal, annul”), from Proto-Germanic furibeudaną, from furi + *beudaną. Equivalent to for- (“from, away”) + bid (“to offer, proclaim”). Cognate with Dutch verbieden (“to forbid”), German verbieten (“to forbid”), Danish forbyde (“to forbid”), Norwegian Bokmål forby (“to forbid”), Swedish förbjuda (“to forbid”), Gothic 𐍆𐌰𐌿𐍂𐌱𐌹𐌿𐌳𐌰𐌽 (faurbiudan). Related to forbode.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/forbid
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0