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

The nine felonies Ellis had been charged with — and to which she’s already pleaded not guilty — included fraud, forgery and conspiracy. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 2024

Prosecutors are dropping the nine felony counts that Ellis had faced — including fraud, forgery and conspiracy — in exchange for her cooperation against the remaining 17 defendants in the case. —Dan Mangan,josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2024

As her mentor, Eric Tao (Ken Leung), avoided eye contact, an HR officer sternly informed her that elite bank Pierpoint & Co. had learned her college transcript was a forgery. —Alison Herman, Variety, 2 Aug. 2024

Van Meegeren became known for his forgeries, particularly of works by Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. —Lucy Handley, CNBC, 17 July 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