Taboo - Game Rules and Example Words (2026)
Author: Drinkify
Taboo is one of those games that seems ridiculously easy until you try to describe "beach" without saying "sea", "sand" or "sun". That's when you discover that explaining a simple word can be the funniest part of the night, especially against the clock with the rest of the room cheering you on (or heckling you).
It's a word game classic that works at house parties, team events and family get-togethers. In this post you'll find the rules, example cards with forbidden words, and tips on how to play so it's genuinely hilarious.
Taboo rules
The rules are simple and quick to explain:
- Players split into two teams.
- One person from the team draws a card with the main word (the word to guess) and a list of forbidden words.
- The describer explains the word to their team, but can't use the main word, any of the forbidden words, or any form of them.
- The team guesses within the time limit (usually 60 seconds).
- Each correct guess earns the team a point. If the describer says a forbidden word, the card is lost (and in some versions the team loses a point).
- Teams take turns, and the team with the most points wins. Often one person from the other team acts as the "buzzer", watching the card and checking the describer doesn't slip up. It adds tension and usually plenty of laughs.
Example cards with forbidden words
Here's what Taboo cards look like. The main word is the one to guess, and below it is the list of words you're not allowed to say.
BEACH - forbidden: sea, sand, sun, water, sunbed
You could say: "a place that's packed with people in summer, lying around getting a tan and playing volleyball".
COFFEE - forbidden: drink, caffeine, morning, black, cup
You could say: "what you have to wake yourself up, often with milk".
PHONE - forbidden: call, mobile, smartphone, talk, app
You could say: "the device you always carry and can't stop looking at".
WEDDING - forbidden: bride, groom, church, ring, marriage
You could say: "a celebration where two people both say I do".
PENGUIN - forbidden: bird, Antarctica, ice, black and white, swim
You could say: "an animal that waddles around and can't fly, even though it has wings".
How to play so it's actually funny
Knowing the rules is just the start. A few things that make all the difference:
Keep an eye on the clock. The pressure of a ticking minute is half the fun. Without it, the game gets too calm. A phone timer is all you need.
Pick a buzzer. Someone from the other team peeking at the card and catching forbidden words raises the stakes and often ends up in stitches too.
Match the words to the group. Some words suit a family gathering, others a relaxed house party. Good sets mix words of different difficulty.
Add a party twist. At a house party you can add a rule that the team that doesn't guess the word in time takes a sip (or does a small forfeit in the alcohol-free version). It speeds things up.
Where to get ready-made Taboo words
Writing out words and forbidden words on scraps of paper takes ages, and they run out after a few rounds anyway. That's why it's easiest to have a ready-made set that draws the words and keeps track of the rules for you.
Taboo Classic is a digital version of the game for your phone, with ready-made words and forbidden words. Open it in your browser or in the Drinkify app and play, with no printing and no writing cards. It's one of the cheapest decks in the shop and works with any group.
Prefer the browser? Every deck also works without installing anything - see all the games. You pay once and keep the deck forever.
When is Taboo a good fit?
Taboo is one of the most versatile word games around:
- House parties - fast, team-based and full of laughs. It also fits perfectly into a night of house party games.
- Team building - a word game without alcohol that brings a group together.
- Family gatherings - works for any age, you just pick the right level of words.
- New Year's Eve and birthdays - ideal as one of several games on a long night. More ideas in our ranking of party games on your phone.
Taboo FAQ
How many people do you need to play Taboo? At least four (two per team), but the more players, the better. It works for groups of up to a dozen or more.
How much time do you get per word? Usually 60 seconds per round, in which the team tries to guess as many words as possible. Adjust the time to your group.
Can you play Taboo without alcohol? Of course. It's a word game that works great without any drinks, which is why it's popular at team events and family gatherings too.
Where do I get ready-made words so I don't have to write them myself? Easiest is a digital version like Taboo Classic, which draws the words and forbidden words for you. Download Drinkify on Google Play or the App Store and your first round starts in a minute.
Some party games are for adults only. If you play a version with alcohol, drink responsibly and make sure everyone can play on their own terms.
