forfeit
/ˈfɔːfɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɔːrfɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfȯr-fət/ (ame, mw) · /ˈfɔː.fɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɔːr.fət/ (ame, ipa)
forfeit — verb
- forfeitpresent simple I / you / we / they
- forfeitshe / she / it
- forfeitedpast simple
- forfeiting-ing form
1. to have something taken away or to become no longer entitled to keep it, as a re
to have something taken away or to become no longer entitled to keep it, as a result of breaking a rule, missing a payment, or failing to fulfill an obligation.
After Juan was caught cheating on the exam, he had to forfeit his scholarship.
forfeit + right/privilege — direct object patterns
The tenant forfeited her deposit by moving out without giving any notice.
forfeit + deposit — money as consequence
If you do not pay the fine, you will forfeit your right to appeal.
The company forfeited its patent after failing to pay the renewal fee on time.
By signing the agreement, employees forfeit the right to sue their employer.
- lose
more general; can happen by accident, whereas forfeit implies a penalty
- surrender
implies giving up willingly, not necessarily as a penalty
- relinquish
more formal, suggests letting go reluctantly or formally
文法句型
forfeit + noun phrase (right, deposit, privilege)
用法筆記
The direct object is usually something of value such as a right, privilege, deposit, or property. Frequently found in legal, financial, and rule-based contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to choose not to take part in a competition or to stop before it finishes, handi
to choose not to take part in a competition or to stop before it finishes, handing the win to the other competitor or team.
Sofia's basketball team forfeited the match because three of their best players had the flu.
forfeit + match — sports context
The boxer chose to forfeit in the sixth round after tearing a shoulder muscle.
Rather than forfeit the game, the high school sent its second-string players onto the field.
The referee declared that the visiting team had forfeited by not arriving on time.
文法句型
forfeit + match/game/race
forfeit (no object)
用法筆記
The subject can be a team, player, or competitor. Frequently used intransitively in sports reporting without a direct object.
常見錯誤
forfeit — noun
- forfeitsingular
- forfeitsplural
1. a sum of money, an item, or a privilege that someone must give up because they h
a sum of money, an item, or a privilege that someone must give up because they have violated a rule or failed to meet an agreement.
The landlord kept the deposit as a forfeit after Andre moved out without cleaning up.
as a forfeit — common prepositional phrase
Buyers who cancel must pay a forfeit equal to ten percent of the price.
pay a forfeit — verb + noun collocation
The court ordered the forfeit of the vehicle that was used in the drug deal.
In the card game, the loser handed over a small item as a forfeit.
文法句型
pay a forfeit
serve as a forfeit
as a forfeit
用法筆記
Common in legal and contractual contexts. Frequently paired with "pay a forfeit" or "as a forfeit."
常見錯誤
2. the process or act of losing a right, privilege, or property as a penalty for br
the process or act of losing a right, privilege, or property as a penalty for breaking a rule or failing to do something required.
The forfeit of his driving license meant that he could no longer drive to work.
the forfeit of + [right/privilege] — noun phrase pattern
Failure to appear in court may lead to the forfeit of your bail money.
The contract explains the terms for the forfeit of shares if the owner goes bankrupt.
Jae-won accepted the forfeit of his deposit as a fair penalty for canceling late.
- forfeiture
the standard legal term for this concept; more formal than forfeit
- confiscation
implies seizure by authority, not necessarily as a penalty for a rule broken
- loss
general term; does not carry the idea of penalty
- retention
the act of keeping something
文法句型
the forfeit of + noun
用法筆記
Typically preceded by "the" and followed by "of + noun." More formal than noun sense 1, and often appears in legal documents or official notices.
常見錯誤
3. an item, task, or token that a player gives up or performs when they lose a game
an item, task, or token that a player gives up or performs when they lose a game or make a mistake during play.
In the game, anyone who laughed had to pay a forfeit, like a silly song.
pay a forfeit — game context, informal
Each player placed a coin in the bowl as a forfeit for every wrong answer.
as a forfeit + reason (for + noun phrase)
The children collected forfeits like small toys from those who lost the race.
As a forfeit, Ingrid had to stand on one leg and recite a tongue twister.
- penalty
broader term for any punishment; less specific to games
- consequence
neutral term for a result of an action
文法句型
pay a forfeit
as a forfeit
用法筆記
Common in informal party settings and children's games. The forfeit is often a silly task or a small object handed over.
常見錯誤
forfeit — adjective
- forfeitpositive
- more forfeitcomparative
- most forfeitsuperlative
1. taken by authority as a penalty when someone has done wrong or failed to meet an
taken by authority as a penalty when someone has done wrong or failed to meet an obligation.
The customs officers seized the forfeited goods and handed them over to the state.
forfeited + goods — past participle as adjective
The court ordered the forfeited assets to be sold at a public auction.
Any forfeited property must be returned if the owner successfully wins the appeal.
The forfeited deposit was donated to a local charity after the deal fell through.
- confiscated
more common in everyday language; seized by authority
- forfeited
more natural as a past participle; interchangeable with forfeit in most contexts
文法句型
forfeited + noun (goods, property, assets)
用法筆記
Formal register, almost always used before a noun. Common in legal documents, customs procedures, and official rulings. Not used in everyday conversation.