forfeit
verb · noun · adjective
Simple meaning
Lose or lose the right to by some error, offense.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
fawrfitSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈfɔɹfɪt
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
verb
Lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime
“You've forfeited your right to name your successor.”
To lose a contest, game, match, or other form of competition by voluntary withdrawal, by failing to attend or participate, or by violation of the rules
To suffer the loss of something by wrongdoing or non-compliance
To fail to keep an obligation.
To be guilty of a misdeed; to be criminal; to transgress.
noun
A thing forfeited; that which is taken from somebody in requital of a misdeed committed; that which is lost, or the right to which is alienated, by a crime, breach of contract, etc.
A penalty for or consequence of a misdemeanor.
Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine as part of a game.
adjective
Lost or alienated for an offense or crime; liable to penal seizure.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- C1 · Advanced
- Frequency
- Uncommon
- Typical Use
- Primarily written
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: Lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime
Used this way, forfeit is a common word with a clearly unfavourable pull. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
“You've forfeited your right to name your successor.”
- Emotional tone
- Negative
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Moderate
- How common
- Common
- Connotation
- Serious and weighty
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use forfeit
- “You've forfeited your right to name your successor.”verb
Share your sentence
Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Tap the highlighted word to open its own entry.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Synonyms
Sense: thing forfeited
Antonyms
Use This Word
See how this word sounds in a real sentence.
Ask Vocabaura
Understand the word your way.
What Does It Mean Here?
Words can change meaning depending on context.
Use it yourself
Knowing “forfeit” starts when you use it. Pick a next step, all free.
Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.