forfeit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forfeit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of losing or giving up something, often as a penalty or consequence of an action. Example: "If you fail to submit your assignment on time, you will forfeit your right to a grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"When people go online, they shouldn't have to forfeit the basic privacy we're assured as Americans," Obama said.

The Guardian - Tech

It places people in difficult positions: they must forfeit their personal convictions and desires in order to appease society or choose to defy the status quo and unrepentantly be themselves at the risk of being misjudged and even mistreated.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the winner does not respond to GNM within 14 days of being notified of their win, the winner's prize will be forfeited and GNM shall be entitled to select another winner in accordance with the process described above (and that winner will have to respond to notification of their win within 14 days or else they will also forfeit their prize).

The Guardian

Robin Gisby, Network Rail's managing director of operations, who was responsible for the engineering overruns that caused the cancellation of all trains in and out London King's Cross on Saturday, is to forfeit a golden goodbye.

The Guardian - Business

Carne has said he would forfeit his annual bonus because of the Christmas chaos.

The Guardian

Robin Gisby, Network Rail's managing director of operations, who was responsible for the overrunning engineering work that caused the cancellation of all trains in and out London King's Cross on Saturday, is to forfeit a golden goodbye.

The Guardian - Business

Some are persuaded, but many others just want to get back to their studies, fearful that the whole academic year will be forfeit if the occupation continues for much longer.

The Guardian

Here, in downsized Belgium, Marion Cotillard's desperate factory worker must visit each of her co-workers over the course of a weekend and persuade them to forfeit their €1,000 bonus and vote for her to keep her job instead.

The Guardian - Film

A heavy-handed approach will forfeit public support.

The Guardian

Robin Gisby, Network Rail's managing director of operations, who was responsible for the overrunning engineering work that caused the cancellation of all trains in and out King's Cross on Saturday, is to forfeit a golden goodbye.

The Guardian

The Independent followed the Times in its accusation that America chose to "forfeit the moral high ground" after 9/11.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forfeit" when you specifically mean losing something as a penalty or consequence of a rule violation or failure to meet an obligation. It's more precise than simply "lose".

Common error

Avoid assuming something is "forfeited" without clearly establishing the conditions or rules that trigger the loss. Be explicit about why and how something is being forfeited.

Linguistic Context

Forfeit" functions primarily as a verb, indicating the act of losing something as a penalty or consequence. It can also function as a noun referring to the thing lost. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a usable term in written English, as showcased in its numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "forfeit" is a versatile term used to describe the loss of something, typically as a penalty or consequence. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that "forfeit" is grammatically correct and widely used in English, especially within News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts. When using "forfeit", it's essential to ensure that the conditions leading to the loss are clearly defined. Alternatives like "give up" or "lose the right to" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. This guide should clarify the appropriate usage of "forfeit", helping you to avoid common errors and use it effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lose the right to

Specifically indicates the loss of an entitlement.

give up

Implies a voluntary relinquishment, which might not always be the case with "forfeit".

lose

A general term for no longer having something, but "forfeit" suggests a specific reason for the loss.

surrender

Suggests yielding or giving up something, often in a conflict or competition.

relinquish

More formal term for giving up something, often a right or claim.

waive

To voluntarily give up a right or claim.

forgo

To abstain from or give up something.

sacrifice

Implies giving up something valuable for a greater cause or purpose.

capitulate

Means to surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms.

be deprived of

Suggests that something is being taken away, often against one's will.

FAQs

How to use "forfeit" in a sentence?

You can use "forfeit" to describe losing something as a penalty. For example, "If you don't pay the fine, you will "forfeit" your deposit."

What can I say instead of "forfeit"?

Alternatives to "forfeit" include "give up", "lose", or "relinquish", depending on the context.

Which is correct: "forfeit" or "forfitted"?

"Forfeit" is the base form of the verb. The past tense and past participle is "forfeited". "Forfitted" is not a correct spelling.

What is the difference between "forfeit" and "sacrifice"?

"Forfeit" implies a loss due to a rule or error. "Sacrifice" implies giving up something valuable for a greater good or purpose.