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

Mangione was later charged with murder in New York and is facing four other charges, including forgery and possession of a firearm. —Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

He was charged with murder and a number of other felonies in New York as well as weapons and forgery charges in Pennsylvania. —Sam Woodward, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

He was later charged with second-degree murder in New York City, along with three gun charges and forgery. —Candy Woodall, Baltimore Sun, 10 Dec. 2024

The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from Maryland is facing several other charges, including forgery and criminal possession of a weapon. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 10 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