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

Gochis also spent more time training rather than accepting forfeit wins against inexperienced and overmatched wrestlers. —Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026

Six teams were removed from the playoffs via forfeits for having ineligible players who broke CIF rule 600 by playing in an outside competition during their season. —Eric Sondheimer columnist follow, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2026

Verb

According to the report, Profar will forfeit his $15 million salary and will be ineligible for the postseason as well as the World Baseball Classic, where he was set to play for the Netherlands. —Dan Raby, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

The Treasury began offering faster processing only to businesses willing to voluntarily forfeit a portion of what the Supreme Court determined they are legally owed in full. —Mark Pirie, Chicago Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026

Adjective

Christian; 17-8; 17; NR * Mission Bay’s record includes 2 forfeit losses Others receiving votes: Torrey Pines (14-12, 15 points), Calexico (19-4, 2 points), Patrick Henry (18-8, 2 points), Ramona (18-8, 2 points), St. Augustine (13-13, 2 points), Del Lago Academy (20-5, 1 point). —John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026

Sherman, who also helped his wife, Kristen, coach flag football at Orange Lutheran, went 3-9 last season, including two forfeit losses. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 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