Forbidden Word
Set up the game
You need at least 2 players
How to play
- 1Type in the names, pick how many cards you want and how long each turn lasts.
- 2Whoever's up sees the word and its five banned words, and describes it without saying any of them.
- 3A hit scores one, a taboo costs one, and passing costs five seconds of the turn.
Example cards
- Coca-ColaSoft drink · Bubbles · Can · Red · Thirst
- NetflixSeries · Subscription · Binge · Screen · Sofa
- McDonald'sBurger · Clown · Fries · Arches · Menu
- IkeaFurniture · Sweden · Assemble · Meatballs · Warehouse
- NikeTrainers · Sport · Symbol · Brand · Running
- AppleFruit · Computer · Expensive · Design · Store
- NutellaChocolate · Spread · Jar · Hazelnut · Breakfast
- LegoBricks · Build · Plastic · Step on · Childhood
- FerrariCar · Red · Italy · Racing · Horse
- SpotifyMusic · Songs · Playlists · Green · Adverts
- AmazonBuy · Parcel · Delivery · Internet · Jungle
- AdidasStripes · Tracksuit · Trainers · Germany · Sport
- StarbucksCoffee · Cup · Name · Mermaid · Chain
- ZaraClothes · Shop · Fashion · Spain · Sales
- UberCar · App · Driver · Ride · Taxi
- PlayStationConsole · Video games · Controller · Sony · Gaming
- LamborghiniCar · Luxury · Italy · Doors · Noise
- RolexWatch · Luxury · Gold · Wrist · Expensive
- BarbieDoll · Pink · Blonde · Toy · Film
- MonopolyGame · Board · Money · Houses · Jail
- GoogleSearch · Internet · Questions · Maps · Browser
- TeslaCar · Electric · Battery · Plug · Musk
- NintendoConsole · Video games · Japan · Plumber · Controller
- PringlesCrisps · Tube · Moustache · Snack · Crunch
A sample: the deck holds 1000, shuffled every game.
Frequently asked questions
- How many players do you need for Forbidden Word?
- From 2 to 12. Fewer and it falls flat, more and it drags, though nobody is going to stop you trying.
- Do I have to download anything?
- No. Forbidden Word opens in your phone's browser and runs right there: nothing to install, nothing to sign up for.
- Is Forbidden Word free?
- Completely. Every card, every level and all six languages, with no account and no paid tier.
- Does someone have to police the banned words?
- No. The taboo button is pressed by the player themselves: it runs on good faith, so nobody misses the game playing referee.
- How long does a game last?
- Fifty cards with one-minute turns is about twenty minutes. It doesn't end until every card is guessed: passed ones come back around.