Forfeit
/ˈfɔːrfɪt/
nounverbadjectiveB2
Definition
Forfeit is when someone loses a right, possession, or prize because they did not follow rules or failed to do what was required. It can be used as a noun (the thing lost), a verb (to lose something), or an adjective (describing something lost because of a rule).
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See It in Action
Something lost or given up because of breaking a rule or failing to act (noun)
- •The team had to pay a forfeit after arriving late to the match.
- •He paid the forfeit for missing the deadline.
- •The forfeit was the loss of their prize money.
To lose or give up something as a penalty or because of a rule (verb)
- •If you don’t follow the contract, you will forfeit your deposit.
- •She forfeited her chance to win by not completing the task.
- •They forfeited the game because they had too few players.
Describing something lost or given up because of a rule or penalty (adjective)
- •The forfeit amount was deducted from his salary.
- •His forfeit rights were taken away after the violation.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "forfeit" like "lose," but because of a rule or mistake, not by chance or accident.
- ✓Picture a game where if you break the rules, you must give up your turn or your points—this is a forfeit.
- ✓It's the feeling of disappointment when you lose something important because of your own action.
- ✓Sounds like "FOR-fit" → imagine you have to "give up" (fit) something on purpose because of a rule.
- ✓Think of sports teams that lose a game because they did not show up—this is called a forfeit.
- ✓NOT like "lose" by accident or competition, "forfeit" is a loss caused by breaking rules or not doing what is needed.
- ✓NOT like "give" freely, "forfeit" means you lose something as a penalty or punishment.
- ✓NOT like "fine" (money penalty), "forfeit" can be objects, rights, or chances lost.
Try Other Words
- •Surrender: to give up something voluntarily (Use when you give up without penalty or force)
- •Give up: to stop trying or to let go of something (Use when stopping effort rather than losing by rule)
- •Penalty: a punishment for breaking rules (Use when emphasizing the punishment, not the lost thing)
- •Lose: to no longer have something (Use in general situations without rule-based loss)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: from Old French "forfet" meaning "to commit a fault," related to Latin "foris facere" meaning "to do outside" or "to fail"
- •Etymology: Comes from Old French and Latin roots meaning to fail or break a rule, leading to loss or punishment
- •Historical development: Originally meant committing a fault or error, then developed to mean losing something because of that fault
- •Modern usage: Used in legal, sports, and everyday contexts to mean losing something because of a mistake or rule breaking
- •Key insight: Forfeit always involves losing something because of a fault or failure, not by chance
Reflect & Connect
•Can you think of a time when you had to forfeit something because of a rule or mistake? How did it feel?
•How is forfeit different from just losing by chance or competition? Why is it important to understand this difference?
Fill in the blanks
1.A player must forfeit the game if they ___ the rules or arrive too late.
2.When someone forfeits, they usually lose something as a ___ for their action.
3.The team had to ___ the match because they did not have enough players.
4.Unlike losing by skill, to forfeit means to lose because of ___ or failure to act.
5.If you do not pay the fee on time, you will ___ your right to participate.
6.A forfeit often happens ___ a penalty or punishment is given.
7.The forfeit was ___ from his prize money after he broke the rules.