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

Example Sentences

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Aseanti Zhanea Hayden, 29, of the 700 block of Royal St. George Drive, was arrested on a charge of forgery at 1:17 p.m. May 10 at her home. —Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2023

Last week, it was revealed that a warrant had been issued for Vicky's arrest on charges of permitting or facilitating escape in the first degree, forgery in the second degree and identity theft. —Chris Harris, PEOPLE.com, 10 May 2022

Behind this work of forgery was Pablo Xavier, a construction worker in Chicago who asked media not to use his last name for fear of backlash, reports Chris Stokel-Walker for Buzzfeed News. —Carolyn Hagler, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Mar. 2023

One owner was convicted of tax evasion and forgery, but later had his record expunged. —Alexandria Burris, The Indianapolis Star, 21 Mar. 2023

Spotsylvania County’s former school board chairman was indicted this week on charges of forgery and tampering with public records, according to Virginia state police. —Karina Elwood, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2023

Brian Walshe was recently convicted in federal court in an elaborate art forgery and fraud scheme. —Dugan Arnett, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Jan. 2023

Section 241 in Mississippi's state constitution specifies 10 felonies—murder, rape, bribery, theft, arson, obtaining money or goods under false pretense, perjury, forgery, embezzlement or bigamy—for which a conviction will result in a person losing their right to vote. —Virginia Langmaid, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022

Ten years before, while the rivals were still in their teens, Merton Ames had been charged with forgery. —Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023

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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