forgery

noun

forg·​ery ˈfȯr-jə-rē 

ˈfȯrj-rē

plural forgeries

1

: something forged

2

: an act of forging

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

3

archaic : invention

Synonyms of forgery

• hoax
• counterfeit

Examples of forgery in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The forgery count carries up to three years and/or a $5,000 fine. — Wcco Staff, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

After allegedly killing Jett, prosecutors say, Von Ferdinand committed real estate fraud and theft on her estate, including grand theft, identity theft, forgery and filing false documents with losses over $500,000. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

The suspect then met with a fourth man known to police from art theft and forgery cases in 2001 and 2003. — Sylvie Corbet, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

As detectives followed his trail, the suspect met with a fourth person known to authorities for art theft and forgery. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

forge entry 2 + -ery

First Known Use

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 3

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