# forfeit

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈfɔː.fɪt/ · frequency rank #19,089

## Definitions
1. A penalty for or consequence of a misdemeanor.
2. 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.
3. Something deposited and redeemable by a sportive fine as part of a game.
4. Injury; wrong; mischief.

## Etymology
From Middle English forfait from ca. 1300, from Old French forfait (“crime”), originally the past participle of forfaire (“to transgress”), and Medieval Latin foris factum. During the 15th century, the sense shifted from the crime to the penalty for the crime.

## Easily confused with
- **forget** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/forfeit-vs-forget)
- **Forrest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/forfeit-vs-forrest)
- **forest** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/forest-vs-forfeit)

## Common misspellings (10)
`fforfeit`, `fofreit`, `forefit`, `forfeitt`, `forfeti`, `forffeit`, `forfiet`, `forrfeit`, `frofeit`, `ofrfeit`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/forfeit