forfeit
FAW-fiht
Forfeit (verb) means to lose or give up something as a penalty for breaking a rule or agreement. Example: “Players who arrive late forfeit their turn.”
verb
1
To lose or give up something as a penalty for breaking a rule or agreement.
"Players who arrive late forfeit their turn."
"She forfeited her deposit by canceling at the last minute."
noun
1
Something lost or given up as a penalty.
"The team took the forfeit rather than play a weakened lineup."
How to use forfeit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lose something — money, a right, a game — because you broke a rule or failed to show up.
Common pairings
forfeit the game
forfeit a deposit
forfeit the right to
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Word forms
- Plural
- forfeits
- Third person singular
- forfeits
- Past tense
- forfeited
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Players who arrive late _____ their turn.
Etymology
From Old French forfait ("crime"), from forfaire ("to transgress"). The meaning shifted over time from the crime itself to the penalty for it.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for forfeit
See all rhymes for forfeit →Frequently asked questions
What does “forfeit” mean?
The word “forfeit” means to lose or give up something as a penalty for breaking a rule or agreement. In plain terms, to lose something — money, a right, a game — because you broke a rule or failed to show up.
How do you pronounce “forfeit”?
“Forfeit” is pronounced FAW-fiht (/ˈfɔɹ.fɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “forfeit” in a sentence?
Here is “forfeit” used in a sentence: “Players who arrive late forfeit their turn.”
What part of speech is “forfeit”?
Depending on how it is used, “forfeit” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “forfeit” come from?
The word “forfeit” comes from Old French. From Old French forfait ("crime"), from forfaire ("to transgress"). The meaning shifted over time from the crime itself to the penalty for it.
Is “forfeit” a common word?
“Forfeit” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “forfeit” have?
“Forfeit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to lose or give up something as a penalty for breaking a rule or agreement.
