forfeit
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to lose something or give up the right to it because you did something wrong or broke a rule.
v.to lose a right, property, or privilege as a consequence of a crime, error, or breach of contract. Transitive; requires a direct object.
Simple“If you do not pay the taxes on time, you might forfeit your right to the property.”
In context“The defendant was warned that any further violation of the bail conditions would cause him to forfeit his bond entirely.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to lose a game or competition because you cannot play or because you broke the rules.
v.to lose a contest by voluntary withdrawal, failure to attend, or violation of competition rules.
Simple“The team had to forfeit the match because three of their players were sick.”
In context“After the scandal was uncovered, the committee ruled that the athlete must forfeit all medals won during the previous season.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.something that you must give up as a punishment for a mistake or for breaking a rule.
n.a fine or a penalty for a fault, misdeed, or breach of contract.
Simple“The contract states that the forfeit for leaving the job early is one month's salary.”
In context“The magistrate imposed a heavy forfeit on the company for its failure to comply with environmental safety regulations.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
adj.describes something that has been taken away as a punishment.
adj.lost or alienated for an offence or crime; liable to seizure by authority.
Simple“The judge declared that the stolen goods were now forfeit to the state.”
In context“Under the terms of the ancient treaty, the lands were declared forfeit to the crown upon the death of the last heir.”
Synonyms
From Middle English forfait from ca. 1300, from Old French forfait (“crime”), originally the past participle of forfaire (“to transgress”), and Medieval Latin foris factum. During the 15th century, the sense shifted from the crime to the penalty for the crime.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.