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

Their charges include fraud, money laundering and forgery. —Benjamin Vanhoose, Peoplemag, 25 Sep. 2024

Specifically, the couple faces 286 charges at the state level, including felony charges of abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering, and forgery, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. —Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 6 Aug. 2024

The charges included fraud, forgery, and conspiracy. —Olivia Rubin, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2024

The original 41-count indictment included racketeering charges, conspiracy to commit forgery and perjury. —Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 12 Sep. 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