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

The defendant, 27, has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, including weapons and forgery charges in Pennsylvania state court, where he was arrested at an Altoona McDonald’s in December 2024. —Lorena O’Neil, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2026

He was arrested of multuple felony counts, including grand theft, embezzlement and forgery. —Brandon Downs, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026

Each forgery charge carries the potential of one to three years in prison. —Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 29 Jan. 2026

Even if Toni did get away with one last con, a bleak mood lingers over the credits; even if he wasn't killed, Toni has elected to live a new life as hollow and deceptive as one of his forgeries. —Rory Doherty, Time, 26 Jan. 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