Words / B1

f-uh-BID/fəˈbɪd/

To forbid is to order that something must not be done: forbid phones; forbidden to + verb (past forbade, participle forbidden). Ban and prohibit are close; ban is common in news. Do not write “forbid someone from” in the most careful grammar — traditional pattern is forbid someone to do. Forbidden is the adjective on signs.

Meaning

To order that something must not be done (past forbade, participle forbidden).

Examples

• “The invigilator forbade phones on the desk during listening.”
• “Smoking is forbidden on the ward, which is the adjective/sign sense.”

Good to know

forbid someone to do; forbidden. Past: forbade. Close: ban / prohibit. Signs: forbidden. Careful grammar: to-infinitive, not always from.

Near in meaning

prohibit

New