forfeit

[ fawr-fit ]

noun

1. a fine; penalty.
2. an act of forfeiting; forfeiture.
3. something to which the right is lost, as for commission of a crime or misdeed, neglect of duty, or violation of a contract.
4. an article deposited in a game because of a mistake and redeemable by a fine or penalty.
5. forfeits, (used with a singular verb) a game in which such articles are taken from the players.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject to seizure as a forfeit.
2. to lose or become liable to lose, as in consequence of crime, fault, or breach of engagement.

   Synonyms: waive, forgo, relinquish, yield, surrender, mulct

adjective

1. lost or subject to loss by forfeiture.

forfeit

/ ˈfɔːfɪt /

noun

1. something lost or given up as a penalty for a fault, mistake, etc
2. the act of losing or surrendering something in this manner
3. law something confiscated as a penalty for an offence, breach of contract, etc
4. sometimes plural
   1. a game in which a player has to give up an object, perform a specified action, etc, if he commits a fault
   2. an object so given up

verb

1. tr to lose or be liable to lose in consequence of a mistake, fault, etc
2. tr law
   1. to confiscate as punishment
   2. to surrender (something exacted as a penalty)

adjective

1. surrendered or liable to be surrendered as a penalty

Derived Forms

• ˈforfeitable, adjective
• ˈforfeiter, noun

Other Words From

• for·feit·a·ble adjective
• for·feit·er noun
• non·for·feit·a·ble adjective
• non·for·feit·ing adjective
• re·for·feit verb (used with object)
• un·for·feit·a·ble adjective
• un·for·feit·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forfeit¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English forfet, from Old French (past participle of forfaire “to commit crime, to lose possession or right through a criminal act”), from Medieval Latin forīs factum “penalty,” past participle of forīs facere “to transgress,” equivalent to Latin forīs “outside, wrongly” + facere “to make, do”

Word History and Origins

Origin of forfeit¹

C13: from Old French forfet offence, from forfaire to commit a crime, from Medieval Latin foris facere to act outside (what is lawful), from Latin foris outside + facere to do

Example Sentences

At least four universities forfeited matches against San José State University following controversy over the player.

From Los Angeles Times

The last team to beat the Patriots was Narbonne in a 2018 playoff game, but the Gauchos forfeited the victory because of an ineligible player.

From Los Angeles Times

Narbonne hadn’t played a game since Sept. 27 after receiving four forfeit victories and having an idle week.

From Los Angeles Times

It was not clear in the indictment what Puente and Marquez are accused of using those funds for, but if convicted the pair will be asked to forfeit all property bought with the stolen money.

From Los Angeles Times

The Gauchos will open the playoffs on Nov. 15 against Dorsey, having not played a game in seven weeks because of forfeits and an idle week.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abandon
• lose
• relinquish
• renounce
• surrender