What is Forbidden Word?
Describe PIZZA without saying cheese, Italy, slice, oven or pepperoni. Forbidden Word is the team game where the obvious clues are banned: the describer holds the phone, the other team sits beside them to catch any forbidden word, and every correct guess before the timer scores. A BUZZ costs a point.
Easy cards are everyday things; Hard cards include ideas like gravity, nostalgia and jet lag. Play with two or more teams — the game rotates turns and shows the leaderboard after each one.
Game setup
How to play Forbidden Word
- Split into two teams; the describer holds the phone with a watcher from the other team beside them.
- Tap Start turn; describe the top word without using the forbidden ones.
- Tap GOT IT for each correct guess, PASS to skip, BUZZ if a forbidden word slips out.
- When the timer ends, swap teams.
What the screen does for you
Forbidden Word on AllPartyGames.com is the referee, not the whole game: it gives the host Start turn, GOT IT / PASS / BUZZ, Team scoreboard. Tap the ? button inside the game for these rules at any time, or 📺 for TV mode on a big screen.
How many players?
Forbidden Word works with 4–12 players and a typical round takes about 15–30 min. Recommended age: 8+.
Best occasions
Tips
- Landscape mode gives the biggest text when the phone is passed around.
- Turn sound on: the countdown ticks and buzzers keep everyone honest.
- Mixed category keeps things fresh — play again for new prompts.
Forbidden Word FAQ
What happens if I say a forbidden word?
The watching team taps BUZZ: you lose a point and move to the next card.
Can I pass?
Yes — Pass skips the card without penalty, but it costs you time.
How many prompts does Forbidden Word have?
Hundreds, hand-written and shuffled so replays feel new. Every category is family-safe unless labelled otherwise.
Can we play in teams?
Yes — enter team names instead of players and the game keeps a team scoreboard.
Does it work offline?
Once the page has loaded, the whole game runs in your browser; a brief connection drop will not stop it.