What is in this Taboo word list?
Every word on this page comes from the Standard pack, the default word pack in a new room. That pack holds 5,066 words across three difficulty tiers: easy, medium and hard. The list takes 40 easy words, 40 medium words and 30 hard ones, picked for a wide spread of everyday objects, places, food, nature and ideas.
The taboo words are written for this list. In the online game there are no taboo words printed under each word. Instead, the describer sees a board of ten words, and saying any word on the board, or a piece of one, is the slip. On paper you see one word at a time, so each card needs its own five forbidden words, the way the boxed card game prints them.
The insane tier is left out on purpose. Online, insane words such as long abstract nouns appear only in the Insane, Intense and Difficult packs, and the Difficult pack holds 6,109 words in all. They are hard to enjoy on a first printed sheet.
How do you print and cut the cards?
Print this page from your browser's print menu. The site menus, buttons and ads are left off the printout, and the cards print three to a row with dashed lines to cut along.
- Open your browser's print menu and choose A4 or Letter paper, portrait.
- Print only the pages with cards if you want to save paper. The print preview shows where the cards start.
- Print on thin card if you have it. On plain paper, glue each sheet onto cereal-box card before cutting, so nobody can read a word through the back.
- Cut along the dashed lines. Every card keeps its tier and points label, so the piles can be mixed and sorted again later.
- Keep the three tiers in separate piles, face down, with a rubber band around each one.
How do you play a homemade game with these cards?
Play with two teams, a phone timer and one person from the other team watching the card. The describer draws a card and explains the word without saying it or any of its five taboo words. A correct guess keeps the card, and a slip or a skip gives the card to the other team, as in the boxed game's rules.
For scoring, borrow the online game's idea that harder words pay more. In Taboo Party an easy word scores 4 to 12 points, a medium word 14 to 24 and a hard word 26 to 50. The middles of those ranges are 8, 19 and 38, so on paper count an easy card as 1 point, a medium card as 2 and a hard card as 5.
Let the describer choose which pile to draw from before each card. It copies the real decision on the online board: three quick easy words or one slow hard one. Turns of 60 seconds work well on paper too.
For the clue techniques that work on hard words, read how to describe words in Taboo, with worked examples.
Easy words: 4 to 12 points in the game
Easy words are concrete things most players have seen or used. They make good warm-up cards and the right pile for younger players or English learners.
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsAirport
- plane
- flight
- gate
- luggage
- terminal
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsApron
- kitchen
- cook
- chef
- tie
- front
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsBasketball
- hoop
- dribble
- court
- NBA
- net
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsBeehive
- honey
- wax
- buzz
- sting
- colony
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsBirthday cake
- candles
- party
- frosting
- wish
- slice
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsBlackboard
- chalk
- teacher
- classroom
- write
- eraser
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsBridge
- river
- cross
- span
- over
- toll
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsBroom
- sweep
- floor
- witch
- dust
- handle
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsCandy
- sweet
- sugar
- chocolate
- wrapper
- lollipop
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsCarpet
- rug
- floor
- soft
- vacuum
- magic
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsCheetah
- fast
- spots
- cat
- run
- Africa
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsClock
- time
- hands
- hour
- tick
- wall
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsComet
- tail
- space
- star
- ice
- sky
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsCookie
- biscuit
- chocolate chip
- bake
- jar
- milk
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsCouch
- sofa
- sit
- cushion
- living room
- lie
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsCurtain
- window
- drapes
- close
- fabric
- stage
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsDentist
- teeth
- drill
- cavity
- chair
- floss
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsDetective
- crime
- clue
- Sherlock
- case
- solve
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsDiamond
- ring
- jewel
- carat
- sparkle
- hard
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsDragon
- fire
- wings
- breathe
- myth
- scales
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsEagle
- bird
- bald
- talons
- nest
- soar
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsEarthworm
- soil
- dirt
- wriggle
- garden
- rain
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsEcho
- sound
- repeat
- cave
- voice
- back
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsFire drill
- alarm
- practice
- exit
- school
- evacuate
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsFishbowl
- aquarium
- glass
- water
- pet
- round
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsFreezer
- ice
- cold
- frozen
- fridge
- kitchen
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsGiraffe
- neck
- tall
- spots
- Africa
- leaves
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsHeadphones
- music
- ears
- listen
- wireless
- audio
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsHoney
- bee
- sweet
- sticky
- jar
- golden
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsIce cream
- cone
- scoop
- cold
- vanilla
- dessert
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsLava
- volcano
- hot
- magma
- molten
- rock
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsLunch box
- school
- sandwich
- pack
- carry
- food
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsMap
- directions
- world
- atlas
- travel
- road
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsOctopus
- eight
- arms
- tentacles
- sea
- ink
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsParrot
- bird
- talk
- colorful
- pirate
- repeat
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsPyramid
- Egypt
- triangle
- pharaoh
- tomb
- desert
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsScissors
- cut
- paper
- blades
- sharp
- snip
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsSocks
- feet
- shoes
- pair
- wool
- laundry
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsHighlighter
- marker
- yellow
- neon
- notes
- pen
- Easy, 4 to 12 pointsJumping jacks
- exercise
- arms
- legs
- warm-up
- star
Medium words: 14 to 24 points in the game
Medium words are still things you can picture, but each one needs a sentence of context, such as a job, an event or a tool with a narrow use. A typical board online has more medium words than any other tier.
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsAir fryer
- kitchen
- crispy
- oil
- fries
- appliance
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsArchitect
- building
- design
- plans
- house
- drawing
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsBackflip
- somersault
- gymnastics
- trick
- land
- air
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsBackstage
- theater
- behind
- concert
- dressing room
- crew
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsBarista
- coffee
- cafe
- latte
- espresso
- cup
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsBlueprint
- plan
- building
- drawing
- design
- paper
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsBonsai
- tree
- small
- Japan
- pot
- prune
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsBracelet
- wrist
- jewelry
- bangle
- charm
- chain
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsBroccoli
- vegetable
- green
- tree
- healthy
- florets
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsCampfire
- wood
- marshmallows
- tent
- flames
- logs
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsCanoe
- paddle
- boat
- river
- kayak
- row
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsCathedral
- church
- bishop
- stained glass
- spire
- pray
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsChandelier
- light
- ceiling
- crystal
- hang
- lamp
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsCinnamon
- spice
- roll
- brown
- bark
- sugar
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsClipboard
- paper
- notes
- coach
- list
- form
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsDaycare
- children
- kids
- babies
- parents
- nursery
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsDetergent
- soap
- laundry
- wash
- clothes
- powder
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsDoughnut
- hole
- glazed
- sprinkles
- fried
- ring
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsDrought
- rain
- dry
- water
- farm
- shortage
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsDustpan
- broom
- sweep
- dirt
- floor
- brush
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsEclipse
- moon
- sun
- shadow
- dark
- solar
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsFirework
- sky
- explode
- night
- colors
- Diwali
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsGoggles
- eyes
- swim
- glasses
- protect
- ski
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsGraduation
- cap
- gown
- diploma
- school
- ceremony
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsGreenhouse
- plants
- glass
- grow
- warm
- garden
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsHurricane
- storm
- wind
- rain
- tropical
- eye
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsIroning board
- clothes
- press
- flat
- wrinkles
- shirt
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsJanitor
- clean
- mop
- school
- building
- sweep
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsLasso
- rope
- cowboy
- loop
- throw
- horse
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsLemonade
- drink
- sour
- sugar
- stand
- citrus
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsMonsoon
- rain
- season
- India
- flood
- wet
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsOrchestra
- music
- violin
- conductor
- symphony
- band
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsOstrich
- bird
- fast
- run
- Africa
- sand
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsPottery
- clay
- wheel
- vase
- kiln
- bowl
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsRoller coaster
- ride
- theme park
- loop
- drop
- scream
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsSnowman
- winter
- carrot
- build
- cold
- frosty
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsStopwatch
- time
- race
- start
- timer
- seconds
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsSuitcase
- luggage
- travel
- pack
- bag
- airport
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsToothbrush
- teeth
- paste
- bristles
- morning
- dentist
- Medium, 14 to 24 pointsTortoise
- turtle
- slow
- shell
- hare
- race
Hard words: 26 to 50 points in the game
Hard words are mostly ideas, feelings and less common nouns. Describe the situation where the word fits, not the word itself, and expect to need the whole turn for one of them.
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsBoredom
- dull
- yawn
- nothing
- tired
- interest
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsCacophony
- noise
- loud
- sound
- chaos
- harsh
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsDemolition
- destroy
- building
- wreck
- crane
- knock down
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsDisguise
- costume
- hide
- mask
- fake
- mustache
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsElegance
- graceful
- style
- class
- beauty
- refined
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsEtymology
- word
- origin
- history
- language
- root
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsExhaustion
- tired
- sleep
- energy
- worn out
- fatigue
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsFestivity
- celebration
- party
- holiday
- cheer
- lights
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsFire hydrant
- water
- street
- red
- dog
- hose
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsFlattery
- compliment
- praise
- sweet talk
- charm
- insincere
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsFriction
- rub
- heat
- force
- physics
- slide
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsHeroism
- brave
- courage
- rescue
- sacrifice
- medal
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsHysteria
- panic
- crazy
- scream
- mass
- frenzy
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsJuxtaposition
- contrast
- side by side
- compare
- opposite
- art
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsLoophole
- law
- gap
- escape
- tax
- rule
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsLuxury
- expensive
- rich
- fancy
- wealth
- brand
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsMasquerade
- mask
- ball
- costume
- party
- Venice
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsMonotony
- boring
- same
- routine
- repeat
- dull
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsNectarine
- fruit
- peach
- juicy
- stone
- summer
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsBobsled
- ice
- Olympics
- team
- track
- Jamaica
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsEstuary
- river
- sea
- mouth
- salt
- tide
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsFoyer
- entrance
- lobby
- hall
- hotel
- door
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsLichen
- moss
- rock
- fungus
- tree
- green
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsCeviche
- fish
- lime
- raw
- Peru
- seafood
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsRepetition
- again
- practice
- copy
- loop
- habit
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsSimile
- like
- as
- comparison
- poem
- metaphor
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsSurveillance
- camera
- watch
- spy
- CCTV
- police
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsTrailblazing
- pioneer
- first
- new
- path
- leader
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsVanity
- mirror
- pride
- ego
- looks
- selfie
- Hard, 26 to 50 pointsVentilation
- air
- fan
- window
- duct
- breathe
How do you write your own Taboo cards?
A good card bans the five words a lazy describer would reach for first. Say the word to yourself, list the first five words that come to mind, and those are your taboo words. If the card is still easy after that, swap one taboo word for the next obvious clue.
- Never use a piece of the word itself as a taboo word. Those are banned anyway, so the card wastes a slot.
- Ban the category and the most famous example. For Pyramid, that means Egypt and pharaoh.
- Leave out names your group does not share, such as a local shop or a friend's nickname, unless the cards are for that group only.
- Read each card aloud to someone before printing. If they guess it in one clue, ban that clue.
- Keep the tiers balanced. Online boards average about 35% easy, 40% medium and 25% hard words, which is a good mix for a deck too.
Once your list works on paper, you can play it online. A custom word pack needs at least 10 words in each tier you use, and at least half its word limit in total, which is 100 words for the default limit of 200. A list of this size is already enough.
The steps and the tier rules are in the guide to making a custom Taboo word pack.
Teachers can turn a unit's vocabulary into cards the same way, and the guide to Taboo for classrooms and English learners has a lesson plan built around them.
Planning a whole evening around the cards? Use the Taboo game night hosting checklist for timings and house rules.