The word "forbidding" is often mispronounced due to its spelling. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /fərˈbɪdɪŋ/. This indicates that the first syllable is pronounced with a schwa sound, similar to the "uh" sound in "sofa". The second syllable is stressed, and contains the short i sound, as in "bit". The final syllable is pronounced like "ding". Remembering the proper pronunciation can help avoid confusion and create clear communication.
Forbidding, as an adjective, refers to something that gives an impression of being dangerous, threatening, or unwelcoming. It is associated with the idea of prohibiting or forbidding an action or situation. The term is often used to describe an attitude, tone, or appearance that evokes fear, intimidation, or disapproval.
When something or someone is described as forbidding, it suggests a sense of inaccessibility, discouragement, or a lack of invitation. It creates an aura of sternness, severity, or strictness that might deter individuals from approaching or engaging with it. This description is commonly applied to landscapes, buildings, or environments that seem harsh, desolate, or inhospitable.
In a social context, someone with a forbidding demeanor may appear unapproachable, unfriendly, or unyielding. This attitude can foster a sense of caution or uneasiness among others, making interaction difficult or uninviting.
The term can also be used to describe rules, laws, or regulations that impose restrictions or limitations, thereby prohibiting certain actions or behaviors. In such cases, the forbidding nature serves as a deterrent against non-compliance.
Overall, forbidding entails an air of menace, severity, or disapproval, which discourages or inhibits people or actions from approaching, engaging with, or continuing in a certain manner. It carries connotations of strictness, intimidation, and the prevention of undesirable conduct or occurrences.
• Prohibiting; hindering.
• Repelling approach; disagreeable; offensive.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "forbidding" originated from the Old English word "forbeodan", which is a combination of the prefix "for-" (meaning "completely" or "away") and the verb "beodan" (meaning "to command" or "to order"). Over time, "forbeodan" transformed into "forbidden" in Middle English, which meant "to prohibit" or "to order someone not to do something". Later, in the 18th century, the present participle form "forbidding" was derived to describe something that appears unfriendly, stern, or intimidating.