Taboo vs. Tabu — What's the Difference?

A taboo is an implicit prohibition on something (usually against an utterance or behavior) based on a cultural sense that it is excessively repulsive or, perhaps, too sacred for ordinary people. Such prohibitions are present in virtually all societies.

Variant of taboo.

A social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidding association with a particular person, place, or thing

Alternative spelling of taboo

Prohibited or restricted by social custom

Alternative spelling of taboo

Place under a taboo

See Taboo.

A ban or inhibition resulting from social custom or emotional aversion.

A prejudice (especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands) that prohibits the use or mention of something because of its sacred nature

A prohibition, especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands, excluding something from use, approach, or mention because of its sacred and inviolable nature.

An inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or emotional aversion

An object, word, or act protected by such a prohibition.

Forbidden to profane use especially in South Pacific islands

Excluded or forbidden from use, approach, or mention

Excluded from use or mention;

To exclude from use, approach, or mention; place under taboo.

An inhibition or ban that results from social custom or emotional aversion.

(in Polynesia) Something which may not be used, approached or mentioned because it is sacred.

Excluded or forbidden from use, approach or mention.

Culturally forbidden.

To mark as taboo.

To ban.

To avoid.

A total prohibition of intercourse with, use of, or approach to, a given person or thing under pain of death, - an interdict of religious origin and authority, formerly common in the islands of Polynesia; interdiction.

To put under taboo; to forbid, or to forbid the use of; to interdict approach to, or use of; as, to taboo the ground set apart as a sanctuary for criminals.

Set apart or sacred by religious custom among certain races of Polynesia, New Zealand, etc., and forbidden to certain persons or uses; hence, prohibited under severe penalties; interdicted; as, food, places, words, customs, etc., may be taboo.

A prejudice (especially in Polynesia and other South Pacific islands) that prohibits the use or mention of something because of its sacred nature

An inhibition or ban resulting from social custom or emotional aversion

Declare as sacred and forbidden

Excluded from use or mention;

Forbidden to profane use especially in South Pacific islands