FAWR-bid-uhn
/ˈfɔɹbɪdən/
forbidden is pronounced FAWR-bid-uhn (/ˈfɔɹbɪdən/). Forbidden describes something that is prohibited or (less commonly) something that arouses strong, taboo curiosity. In everyday use it often signals rules, boundaries, or moral constraints. The term carries a formal or scientific tone depending on context and emphasizes authority, prohibition, or risk.
Forbidden describes something that is prohibited or (less commonly) something that arouses strong, taboo curiosity. In everyday use it often signals rules, boundaries, or moral constraints. The term carries a formal or scientific tone depending on context and emphasizes authority, prohibition, or risk.
"Entering the restricted area is forbidden by law."
"The treaty makes such contact with the rival nation forbidden."
"Her curiosity about the forbidden topic lingered despite warnings."
Phonetically: /fɚˈbɪdən/ (US) or /ˈfɔː.bɪ.dən/ (UK). The primary stress is on the second syllable: for-BID-den. Start with a clear /f/ followed by a reduced schwa /ɚ/ in US. The middle syllable uses /bɪ/; end with /dən/ as a light, unstressed 'den'. Try to keep the final /ən/ soft to avoid a clipped ending.
Common errors include misplacing stress (placing emphasis on the first syllable as for-BI-den), over-pronouncing the middle vowel as /iː/ instead of /ɪ/, and adding an extra syllable or blending /d/ and /n/ as /dn/ too abruptly. Correct by maintaining secondary stress on only the second syllable and using a crisp, short /d/ before the final /ən/. Listen for the natural reduction in the second half: /ɚˈbɪ.dən/ rather than /fəˈrbɪːdn/.
US tends to reduce the first vowel to /ɚ/ in unstressed syllables, producing /fɚˈbɪdən/. UK often uses /ˈfɔː.bɪ.dən/ with a clearer /ɔː/ in the first syllable and a non-rhotic /ˈfɔː.bɪ.dən/. Australian similarly uses /fɔːˈbɪdən/ with a non-rhotic accent and a rounded open /ɔː/ in stressed positions. The middle vowel remains /ɪ/; the final syllable is typically unstressed /dən/ across dialects.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllabic rhythm and the unstressed, reduced final syllable; you juggle a compact /b/ closure before a soft /ən/. The second syllable carries primary stress, so maintaining a crisp /bɪ/ followed by a quick /dən/ can be tricky. Also, the initial /f/ followed by a rhotacized vowel in US can disturb the even tempo if you over-voice the /ɚ/.
A unique aspect is the feature of the unstressed final syllable /dən/ that often reduces to a quick, almost syllabic /n/ or /ən/ depending on voice and pace. You’ll notice a clear middle /bɪ/ transition with the mouth closing after /b/ and the tongue finishing the /d/ before a light /ən/. Practically, think ‘for-BID-den’ with a light, almost whispered final syllable.
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Forbidden comes from the Old English for
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Help others use "forbidden" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "forbidden" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "forbidden" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "forbidden"
-den sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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