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

He was extradited to the state last Friday and charged with second-degree larceny and second-degree forgery, state police said. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 14 Apr. 2026

Florentino Antonio Diaz is facing 29 charges — including grand theft, scheme to defraud and forgery — in connection with a series of unauthorized wire transfers from the Wynwood BID general fund to his personal bank account, Rundle said. —Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026

Lucien is devious and clever in not-especially-fresh ways but Christopher’s naked need for acceptance into Lucien’s world is easy to relate to, with the bonus entertainment value of both a criminal scheme that’s bound to go sideways and a sneak peek at the fascinating world of forgery. —Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026

The Christophers starts as the tale of a forgery, but ends as an intimate meditation on art. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 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