forgery

noun

forg·​ery ˈfȯr-jə-rē 

ˈfȯrj-rē

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

Owens was indicted on seven felony charges, including one count of fraudulent schemes and artifices, one count of forgery and one count of tampering with physical evidence. —Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 7 May 2025

Stuart Breakstone, 34, was charged with forgery, according to WREG, WMC and Fox 13, citing Memphis police. —Liam Quinn, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Two employees with the Colorado Department of Corrections who were placed on administrative leave in February have been charged with forgery and fraud, according to court records. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2025

In the first case, Balmer was charged with forgery—altering writing and theft by deception. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025

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