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

It was considered immoral to lie and the whole point of writing things down back then was to increase morality and improve society, so there really is no didactic history of forgery. —JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025

Hager previously said the man is under investigation for fraud, forgery and unlawful conduct involving interaction with minors. —Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 14 Oct. 2025

This is a relatively recent development in academia, where scholars have mostly snubbed the history of forgery. —Big Think, 13 Oct. 2025

Now grown, the siblings use their fortune, along with their own peculiar talents—disguises, forgery, weapons handling—to lead Robin Hood–esque missions throughout London. —Karen Ostergren, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 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