Forbidden Phrases

Play Forbidden Phrases with friends — 4+ players, 15 minutes. Play online party games with friends. Free in Pocket Party with 150+ IRL social games.

4+ players, about 15 minutes, ages 12+.

Play online party games with friends.

Setup

Press the 'Start Game' button at the top of this page which will guide you through the setup phase. Divide yourselves into even teams. Choose one person to be the first describer from each team. This role will rotate with each round. The describer is shown a word in the app that has a "target word" and five "forbidden words" which are similar to or associated with the target word.

How to Play

The describer's goal is to get their team to guess the target word without using any of the five forbidden words in their description. The describer also cannot use any part of the forbidden words in their clues. The describer starts giving clues as soon as the timer begins. The team shouts out guesses based on the describer's clues. The describer can confirm if a guess is correct or continue giving clues. If the describer accidentally uses a forbidden word or part of it, their turn ends immediately. If the team is unable to guess the target word within the time limit, the describer's turn also ends. The opposite team can also monitor the describer's clues to ensure no forbidden words are used. Keep score of successful guesses. One successful guess equals one point. After the time is up, the opposite team takes their turn following the same rules. The role of the describer switches to a new person in each team every turn. The game continues until the specified number of rounds is complete. The team with the highest score at the end wins!

Frequently asked questions

How many people do you need to play Forbidden Phrases?

Forbidden Phrases is designed for 4+ players. It works best when everyone can hear each other and take turns quickly.

How long does Forbidden Phrases take?

A round of Forbidden Phrases usually takes about 15 minutes, depending on group size and how much discussion your players add.

Can you play Forbidden Phrases without extra props?

Forbidden Phrases is built to be lightweight. Check the on-page rules for any simple materials your group might need before you start.

Can you play Forbidden Phrases online?

Yes. You can open Forbidden Phrases in Pocket Party and use the app or browser flow to get your group into the game quickly.

Is Forbidden Phrases good for groups?

Yes. Forbidden Phrases is meant for social play, so it works well when the group wants conversation, quick reactions, or shared laughs.

Can kids play Forbidden Phrases?

Forbidden Phrases is recommended for ages 12+. For younger groups, read the rules first and choose categories or prompts that fit the room.