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

In 2021, Nolan forfeit three games due to use of ineligible players and, in 2023, the program failed to win a game. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2025

Will Orange Lutheran’s two forfeits affect its chances of making the playoffs? —Dan Albano, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025

Verb

In short, Jackson could be fined, the Ravens themselves could be fined, and the franchise could have to forfeit a draft selection. —Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025

As punishment, he was ordered to forfeit his $95,000 Cessna. —NPR, 24 Oct. 2025

Adjective

The seven wins would tie the 2021 team that won a first-round playoff game, but also had a COVID-19 forfeit victory. —Cecil Joyce, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal, 21 Oct. 2025

Slusser's lawsuits brought national attention to the program last year, as the team saw multiple opponents forfeit while her and Fleming were pitted as opposing figures in a major American culture war flashpoint. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2025

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