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

• counterfeit
• fake
• hoax
• humbug
• phony
• phoney
• sham

Examples of forgery in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Hyundai says technology efficiently prevents forgeries and faked fingerprints, performing five times more effectively than a conventional vehicle or smart keys. —Newsweek, 2 Jan. 2025

Mangione will also have to return to court in Pennsylvania to face state weapons and forgery charges on Feb. 24, the judge ruled on Thursday. —Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024

Mangione, who is being held in a Pennsylvania prison without bail on gun and forgery charges, is due to appear Thursday morning in Blair County Court for two separate hearings. —Dan Mangan, CNBC, 17 Dec. 2024

Mangione is also facing charges in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested, including forgery and allegedly possessing an unlicensed firearm. —Ivan Pereira, ABC News, 23 Dec. 2024

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