forgery

noun

forg·​ery ˈfȯrj-rē 

ˈfȯr-jə-

plural forgeries

1

archaic : invention

2

: something forged

3

: an act of forging

especially : the crime of falsely and fraudulently making or altering a document (such as a check)

Synonyms

• counterfeit
• fake
• hoax
• humbug
• phony
• phoney
• sham

Examples of forgery in a Sentence

that is a cheap forgery, not an authentic Ming Dynasty vase

Recent Examples on the Web

All face nine felony counts, including conspiracy, forgery and fraud. —Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 21 May 2024

In 1871, the public pressure from the media, good government groups, and the legal profession to prosecute Tweed for corruption and what was then called forgery — that is, falsifying documents — became irresistible. —Ray Brescia / Made By History, TIME, 20 May 2024

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, Trump adviser Boris Epshteyn, and former Trump lawyers Jenna Ellis, John Eastman and Christina Bobb were among the others to be indicted on charges including fraud, forgery, and conspiracy. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 18 May 2024

The attorney general's spokesman Richie Taylor said in an email to The Associated Press on Saturday that Giuliani faces the same charges as the other defendants, including conspiracy, fraud and forgery charges. —CBS News, 18 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

forge entry 2 + -ery

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

forgery

noun

forg·​ery ˈfōrj-(ə-)rē 

ˈfȯrj-

plural forgeries

1

: something (as a signature) that has been forged

2

: the crime of falsely making or changing a written paper or signing someone else's name

Legal Definition

forgery

noun

forg·​ery

plural forgeries

1

: the act of falsely making, altering, or imitating (as a document or signature) with intent to defraud

also : the crime of committing such an act

2

: something that is forged