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

• hoax
• counterfeit

Examples of forgery in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Mangione was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury in April on 11 counts, including one count of murder in the first degree and other weapons and forgery charges. —Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Sep. 2025

The film was inspired by the case of New York art dealer Ely Sakhai, who currently operates a gallery after being convicted of forgery and sentenced to 41 months in prison. —J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 29 Sep. 2025

Their father, my grandfather, was a career low-life criminal and was in jail all the time for forgery and conning people. —Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025

Guéant was additionally found guilty of passive corruption and forgery. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 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