Definitions

forbidden fruit

[fer-bid-n froot, fawr-bid-n] / fərˈbɪd n ˈfrut, fɔrˈbɪd n /

NOUN

immoral indulgence

Synonyms

WEAK

desired object forbidden indulgence golden apple illegal indulgence illegal pleasure illicit love immoral pleasure no-no prohibited article prohibition taboo

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

An early TV commercial for Apple Daily featured the then 48-year-old Lai biting the forbidden fruit while dozens of arrows took aim at him.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2025

His WASPy Hubbell represents forbidden fruit to Streisand’s 1930s college activist; the movie gets its shout-out on “Sex and the City.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025

It may be that the thought of breaking up with the offending food turns it into forbidden fruit, which makes you want it even more.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2024

This may be due to a "forbidden fruit" effect, which could make potentially aversive material more tempting to viewers.

From Science Daily • Oct. 12, 2023

She still did lip service to the old ways, while herself nibbling away at forbidden fruit.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez