forfeit

1 of 3

noun

for·​feit ˈfȯr-fət 

1

: something forfeited or subject to being forfeited (as for a crime, offense, or neglect of duty) : penalty

They were required to pay a forfeit.

2

: forfeiture especially of civil rights

3

a

: something deposited (as for making a mistake in a game) and then redeemed on payment of a fine

b

forfeits plural : a game in which forfeits are exacted

forfeit

2 of 3

verb

forfeited; forfeiting; forfeits

transitive verb

1

: to lose or lose the right to especially by some error, offense, or crime

were late and had to forfeit the match

They forfeited my respect with their behavior.

… an attorney who breaches his fiduciary duty … may be required to forfeit all or part of his fee …

—Burrow v. Arce, 997 S.W.2d 229, 1999

2

: to subject to confiscation as a forfeit

also : abandon, give up

forfeitable

ˈfȯr-fə-tə-bəl 

adjective

forfeiter noun

forfeit

3 of 3

adjective

: forfeited or subject to forfeiture

"And so," continued the Witch, "that human creature is mine. His life is forfeit to me."

—C. S. Lewis

Synonyms of forfeit

Noun

• penalty
• fine
• damages
• forfeiture

Examples of forfeit in a Sentence

Noun

the forfeit for each baseball player involved in the brawl was $5,000

Verb

He forfeited his right to a trial by jury.

They didn't have enough players, so they ended up having to forfeit.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Fisher, who has joined Lovejoy’s staff, said his resignation was unrelated to the forfeits and called the GHSA’s ruling unjust. —Todd Holcomb, AJC.com, 27 May 2026

Don't immediately cancel your flight, Nastro advised, adding that travelers who cancel forfeit their right to a refund. —ABC News, 2 May 2026

Verb

Rio Mesa had to forfeit the win and Saugus took its place in the semifinals. —Justin Vigil Zuniga, Daily News, 27 May 2026

That deposit would be forfeited if Rivera failed to show up as ordered for his sentencing hearing, where the judge will decide whether to send him back to prison for his conviction. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 25 May 2026

Adjective

That ended the Vikings’ two-game tournament winning streak over Rancho Buena Vista and Palo Verde of Blythe following a forfeit loss to Palo Verde. —La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2026

The movement also points to San Jose State volleyball player Blair Fleming, whose presence on the court sparked national controversy and prompted opponents to forfeit matches over safety concerns and the integrity of the women’s category. —Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Verb, and Adjective

Middle English forfait, from Anglo-French, from past participle of forfaire, forsfaire to commit a crime, forfeit, from fors outside (from Latin foris) + faire to do, from Latin facere — more at forum, do

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing forfeit

• by forfeit

Kids Definition

forfeit

1 of 2 noun

for·​feit ˈfȯr-fət 

: something forfeited : penalty, fine

forfeit

2 of 2 verb

: to lose or lose the right to as a punishment for an error, offense, or crime

forfeiter noun

Legal Definition

forfeit

1 of 3 noun

for·​feit ˈfȯr-fət 

: something forfeited or subject to being forfeited

forfeit

2 of 3 transitive verb

1

: to lose or lose the right to by some default, failure, or neglect of obligation or duty or by some offense

shall forfeit to the United States…any proceeds which the person obtained, directly or indirectly, from racketeering activity

—U.S. Code

2

: to subject to forfeiture

it shall be placed in the custody of the Collector, who…shall cause a notice of the seizure and intention to forfeit and sell the same

—Morgan v. United States, 107 F. Supp. 501 (1952)

forfeitability

ˌfȯr-fə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

forfeitable adjective

forfeit

3 of 3 adjective

: forfeited or subject to forfeiture

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French, from Middle French forfait, past participle of forfaire to commit a crime, from fors outside + faire to do