How to Play Taboo
The rules of the Taboo party game, how the word cards work, and example cards you can use tonight.
This is the word-guessing party game where you describe a word without using the forbidden words on its card — not the TV series or the dictionary meaning of "taboo."
Taboo is a fast-talking party game where one player gets their team to guess a target word — but a short list of the most obvious related words is forbidden. Say one of the taboo words and you lose the point. It rewards quick, creative description under pressure.
Below are the full rules, how the cards work, and a few example cards. If you don't own the box, Chapeau Shuffle is a free digital word-guessing game in the same family — describe-and-guess rounds on your phones, no cards to buy or lose.
What you need
- 4+ players, in two teams
- A deck of word cards, each with a target word and its forbidden words
- A timer (about 60 seconds per turn) and a buzzer for the other team
- Estimated play time: 30–45 min
How to play Taboo
- 1
1. Form two teams
Split into two teams. Teams take turns; on each turn one player is the clue-giver for their own team.
Split into random teams - 2
2. Describe the target word
The clue-giver draws a card and gets their team to say the target word — without using the word itself or any of the forbidden words listed below it.
- 3
3. The other team watches
A member of the opposing team watches the card. If the clue-giver says a forbidden word (or part of it), they buzz and the turn's point is lost.
- 4
4. Score and pass
Score one point per word guessed before time runs out, then pass to the next team. Highest total after the agreed number of rounds wins.
Key rules
- You may not say the target word or any forbidden word — not even part of it or a rhyme of it.
- No gestures, sound effects or "sounds like" clues — description only.
- You can skip a hard card, but most house rules cost you a point or count against you.
- The opposing watcher enforces the forbidden list; a buzz cancels that word's point.
Example Taboo cards
Each card has a target word (in bold) and the forbidden words you can't say.
Pizza
Italy · cheese · slice · pepperoni · round
Beach
sand · ocean · sun · towel · waves
Birthday
cake · candles · party · age · presents
Guitar
strings · music · play · band · instrument
Taboo FAQ
What is the game Taboo?
Taboo is a word-guessing party game. One player describes a target word to their team, but cannot use the word itself or a short list of forbidden "taboo" words printed on the card.
How many players do you need?
At least four, split into two teams — one team guesses while the other watches the card and enforces the forbidden words. It scales up well for larger groups.
How long is a turn?
Usually about 60 seconds. The clue-giver gets through as many cards as they can before the timer runs out.
What happens if you say a forbidden word?
The opposing team's watcher buzzes, and that card's point is lost. Play moves on to the next card.
Can I play Taboo online for free?
You can play word-guessing party games like it for free with Chapeau Shuffle — it runs describe-and-guess rounds on your phones, so there are no physical cards to buy or lose.
Play a free word-guessing game
No deck? Chapeau Shuffle runs describe-and-guess party rounds on your phones — gather your group and play.
How to play
