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