Forbidden Words: the online team describing game for friends
In Forbidden Words the table splits into two teams, Red and Blue. The describer draws a card: “Pizza”. But “cheese”, “slice”, “Italian”, “pepperoni” and “delivery” are off limits. With the clock running you find another way in, while your team shouts guesses.
The whole other team is watching: they all see the card and they all have the Buzz! button. Let a forbidden word or a gesture slip and the first one to buzz costs your team a point, with their name on screen. Every card guessed is +1, skips are free but limited. The describer changes every turn, so everyone gets a go.
It's a voice game: play in the same room or on a voice/video call, and the site handles the card, timer, roles and score. No mic? Teammates can type their guesses and an exact match counts automatically. Built for fans of Taboo-style games; Toyla is independent and not affiliated with Taboo or its publisher.
Two teams taking turns; the describer rotates every turn
370-420 cards per language, 5 forbidden words each; easy and hard decks
Only the describer and the other team see the card, and any of them can buzz
45, 60 or 90 second turns, adjustable skips, optional target score
Played by voice, with optional typed guesses; free, no sign-up, no download
How to play
Goal
This is a voice game: play in the same room or meet on a voice/video call. The site handles roles, the card, the timer and the score.
Two teams: Red and Blue. Teams take turns; within a team the describer changes every turn.
When the turns are over, the team with the most points wins.
Describer
When it's your turn, hit Start: the timer begins and the card appears on your screen.
Describe the word without saying the 5 forbidden words, the word itself or part of it. No gestures or sound effects either.
When your team gets it, hit Got it (+1). Stuck? Skip: it costs nothing, but skips may be limited.
Buzz!
Everyone on the other team is a watcher: they all see the card and they all have the Buzz! button.
Hear a forbidden word, the word itself or a gesture? Hit Buzz!: the describing team loses 1 point and a new card comes up. One buzz per card: the first press counts.
Everyone sees who buzzed. The describer's teammates and spectators never see the card.
Guessing
Teammates guess out loud. You can also type your guess: an exact match counts as Got it automatically.
Capital letters and accents don't matter.
After each turn you see the cards and how they went. The describer with the most cards gets an award at the end.
FAQ
How do you play?
Create a room, share the link, pick Forbidden Words and split into two teams. When the describer hits Start, the card appears; they describe the word without the forbidden ones while the team guesses. After the last turn, the team with more points wins.
How many players?
4 to 12, with at least 2 on each team. Players pick their team in the lobby and the host can shuffle with one tap.
Do we need to be in the same room?
No. Play in the same room or on a voice/video call (Discord, Zoom, WhatsApp). Everyone joins from their own phone, and only the people who should see the card do.
Is it the same as Taboo?
It is inspired by the same classic idea: describing a word while avoiding forbidden ones. The cards and rules are Toyla's own; Toyla is independent and not affiliated with Taboo or its publisher.