Taboo
Party word game — get your team to say the target word without using any of the 5 forbidden 'taboo' words.
🌤indoor
What is Taboo?
Taboo is a fast-paced party word game published in 1989. Teams take turns describing a target word to their teammates — with the catch that five obvious related words are printed on the card and are forbidden. Use a taboo word and the opposing team squeezes the built-in squeaker and steals the round. Timer, quirky squeaker and family-friendly wordplay have kept it a party favourite for over 35 years.
Quick facts
Category
Party Games
Type
Team sport
Players
4–16
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
1989, Brian Hersch (Milton Bradley / Hasbro)
Olympic
No
Popularity
global
Sources & provenance
Last verified 2026-08-24.verified