forfeited: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Legal, Administrative
Quick answer
What does “forfeited” mean?
Lost or surrendered as a penalty for wrongdoing, failure to meet an obligation, or breaking a rule.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Lost or surrendered as a penalty for wrongdoing, failure to meet an obligation, or breaking a rule.
Voluntarily given up or sacrificed, often in a strategic or moral context; also used to describe something that is no longer valid or claimable due to inaction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Usage is identical in legal, sports, and formal contexts.
Connotations
Identical connotations of penalty, loss, and consequence in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American legal and sports journalism, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “forfeited” in a Sentence
[Subject] forfeited [Object] (e.g., He forfeited his deposit).[Object] was forfeited by [Subject] (e.g., The title was forfeited by the champion).[Subject] forfeited [Object] to [Recipient] (e.g., The team forfeited the trophy to their rivals).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forfeited” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tenant forfeited his deposit by causing significant damage.
- The boxer forfeited the match for failing a medical check.
American English
- The company forfeited its right to appeal by missing the deadline.
- He forfeited his chance at the scholarship due to plagiarism.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used when a security deposit or performance bond is lost due to breach of contract.
Academic
Used in discussions of legal penalties, historical treaties, or ethical sacrifices.
Everyday
Most commonly heard in sports contexts (e.g., a forfeited game) or regarding lost deposits.
Technical
Precise legal term for the compulsory loss of property or a right as a penalty.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forfeited”
- Using 'forfeited' to mean simply 'lost' without the connotation of penalty (e.g., 'I forfeited my keys' is incorrect).
- Confusing 'forfeited' (past tense verb/adjective) with 'forfeit' (noun/base form verb).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, as it denotes a penalty. However, it can be used neutrally for a strategic sacrifice, e.g., 'He forfeited his queen to gain a winning position in chess.'
'Confiscated' implies an external authority (like the state) actively taking possession. 'Forfeited' describes the state of being lost as a penalty; the loss can be automatic by rule, not necessarily by a direct seizure.
Yes, commonly. For example, 'forfeited property' or 'forfeited deposit' are standard phrases where it functions as a participial adjective.
The noun form is 'forfeit'. Example: 'The penalty for late cancellation is the forfeit of your deposit.'
Lost or surrendered as a penalty for wrongdoing, failure to meet an obligation, or breaking a rule.
Forfeited is usually formal, legal, administrative in register.
Forfeited: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɔː.fɪ.tɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːr.fɪ.t̬ɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “forfeit one's life”
- “forfeit one's good name”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'FOR-FEET': Imagine a footballer breaking a rule and having to pay a fine FOR putting his FEET where they shouldn't be, thus FORFEITING his bonus.
Conceptual Metaphor
FORFEITURE IS A DEBT PAID FOR TRANSGRESSION. The loss is framed as a compulsory payment to settle a moral or legal account.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'forfeited' used INCORRECTLY?