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Glite Dictionary
no-no

no-no

184 6.3
A thing or action that people say is not allowed
  • noun
  • /ˈnoʊˌnoʊ/
  • Informal
translation icon : tabú
  • Consuming even broth in villages would be a no-no on my list.
  • a big no-no
  • a definite no-no

This was all a no no, This was work, all good stuff.

Examples

  • The READ section includes a wonderful selection of e-comics such as the award-winning THE BIG NO-NO, the 2010 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner.

    Academic text (2014)

  • And this is like the biggest no-no in scoring: you score what the picture is.

    Blog text (11)

  • OK, first question from Reddit, what is the biggest No no in the first date?

  • And I agree, music is a no-no for me in the dark as well.

    Blog text (24)

  • That's a big no-no at any level, and it is hurting the Nuggets on the offensive end.

    Blog text (12)

  • Popping pimples is a big no-no if you are dealing with large pore size.

    Blog text (15)

  • Talking loudly during the presentation is a big no-no that could annoy the speaker.

  • Arriving late to a job interview is generally seen as a no-no among employers.

  • Using your phone while driving is a serious no-no that can lead to accidents.

Synonyms

ban
vsno-no
293 1.2

An official rule that stops people from doing something

is more informal and covers social rules as well as laws
prohibition
vsno-no
  • Formal
48 4.4

An official rule that stops people from doing something

is a casual term for something people should not do
haram
vsno-no
  • Specialized
15 8.9

Something Islamic law forbids, for example eating pork

applies broadly to social rules and everyday disapproval rather than religion
no
vsno-no
2 1.0

An answer that refuses a request or idea

names a type of act or thing that is prohibited or discouraged
disallowance
vsno-no
  • Formal
1 7.2

An official decision not to accept a claim, for example a tax expense

is a general label for actions frowned on rather than formal refusal
impermissibility
vsno-no
  • Formal
9.7

The state of something not being allowed by rules or law

is an informal label for actions people should avoid
forbiddance
vsno-no
  • Formal
8.3

An official order not to do something

is used for everyday things that are not allowed or discouraged

How Forbidden

prohibited
  • Formal
1 3.7
taboo
39 5.2
no-no
  • Informal
184 6.3
questionable
176 3.9

Surface Forms

no-no singular
no-nos plural

Etymology

No-no comes from repeating the short word no, like adults saying 'no, no' to stop a child. So a no-no is something 'not allowed' or strongly discouraged.