Forfeit Meaning and Definition
Pronunciation
/ˈfɔrfaɪt/
Part of Speech
Noun or Verb
Definition
A thing given up, surrendered, or abandoned; something done or omitted as a penalty or punishment; to give up or surrender something as a penalty or punishment.
Examples
- He forfeited his right to vote by being convicted of felony.
- The company was forced to forfeit its assets to pay off debts.
Synonyms
- Lose
- Surrender
- Abandon
Antonyms
- Gain
- Acquire
Etymology
The word “forfeit” comes from the Old French word “forfait”, which is derived from the Latin “forfatum”, meaning “doomed” or “condemned”.
Usage Notes
The word “forfeit” can be used as both a noun and a verb, and its meaning can vary depending on the context. In general, it refers to something that is given up or surrendered as a penalty or punishment.
Cultural References
In popular culture, the concept of forfeiting can be seen in games, such as “Truth or Dare”, where participants are forced to give up something as a penalty.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Forfeited all claim” means to give up all rights or privileges.
Related Words or Phrases
Surrender, relinquish, abandon, give up, lose
Collocations
forfeit one’s rights, forfeit one’s liberty, forfeit a chance
Frequency of Use
The word “forfeit” is relatively infrequent in modern language, but it is still used in formal and informal contexts to convey the idea of giving up or surrendering something.
Common Misspellings
forfit, forfite, forefeit