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

Morrisseau’s work, in particular, was the focus of what is believed to be the largest forgery ring of all time, in which several thousand fakes were illegitimately authenticated and sold around the world. —Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025

Christopher Robinson, 47, has been charged with four counts of forgery, four counts of perjury and one count of official misconduct, according to Jefferson County District Court records. —Lillian Metzmeier, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Dec. 2025

In 2023, he was found guilty of two counts of forgery and was sent to jail. —Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025

Mangione was initially arrested on forgery charges for giving officers a fake New Jersey driver’s license with the name Mark Rosario. —Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 20 Dec. 2025

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