2026-10-30 · Nur Günen

100 Taboo Words List with Forbidden Words (Free Cards, 2026)

A free list of 100 Taboo-style cards with forbidden words, sorted by easy, medium, hard and kids. Print them or play instantly on your phone.

A Taboo words list is a set of cards, each with one word to describe and 4–5 "forbidden" words you cannot say while describing it. (Taboo is a Hasbro trademark; this is a Taboo-style word list for home play, not an official product.) Below are 100 free Taboo-style cards sorted into easy, medium, hard, and kid-friendly categories, plus the rules and tips for making your own.

Need more party prompts? Start with 20 games to play with friends, then dive into charades ideas and Imposter game words. For holiday decks, see Friendsgiving games and Christmas party games.

How to play the Taboo word game

Split into two teams and sit alternating around the circle.
One player draws a card and describes the main word to their team without saying it or any forbidden word.
They have 60 seconds to get through as many cards as possible.
A correct guess scores 1 point. Saying a forbidden word, a part of it, or using gestures costs 1 point.
An opposing player watches the card and buzzes violations.
Teams alternate until a set score (like 30 points) or number of rounds.

Play it on your phone: Tadado's Forbidden Words mode runs the cards, timer, and score for you, with ×2 to ×5 multipliers for comebacks. New to the format? Read how to play Taboo-style Forbidden Words.

100 Taboo words with forbidden words

Easy Taboo words (25)

Medium Taboo words (25)

Hard Taboo words (25)

Taboo words for kids (25)

Tips for making your own Taboo cards

Choose forbidden words people would naturally say first. If "pizza" does not block "cheese," it is too easy.
Keep 4–5 forbidden words per card for adults, 3–4 for kids.
Theme a deck for your group: inside jokes, a holiday, or a TV show you all watch.
Or skip the cardboard: Tadado's AI decks generate Forbidden Words cards on any topic in seconds.

Taboo words FAQ

What are good Taboo words?

Good Taboo words are familiar nouns or ideas with obvious clues you are not allowed to use, like Pizza (cheese, slice, Italian, pepperoni) or Beach (sand, ocean, sun, swim). The challenge comes from the forbidden words, not from obscure vocabulary.

How many forbidden words are on a Taboo card?

Most Taboo-style cards have 5 forbidden words. Using 4 makes the game a bit easier, which works well for casual groups and kids.

What are hard Taboo words?

Abstract concepts are the hardest: procrastinate, nostalgia, déjà vu, paradox, and inflation. They have no physical shape to describe, so players have to get creative.

Can you play Taboo on your phone?

Yes. Tadado has a Forbidden Words mode that works like Taboo, with ready-made decks, AI-made custom decks, a timer, and scoring. It is free, has no ads, and works offline on iOS and Android.

How many players do you need for Taboo?

At least 4 players in two teams of 2. The game gets better with 6–10 players.

Stop printing cards

Printable cards get lost, bent, and memorized. Download Tadado for free for Forbidden Words with fresh decks every game, plus Heads Up and Imposter, available in 17 languages.