rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycounterfeitFraudulent imitation
adjective / noun / verb

counterfeit

KOWN-ter-fit/ˈkaʊntərfɪt/

A copy made to deceive people into believing it is genuine.

The jeweler identifies the counterfeit coin by the base metal beneath its surface.

A jeweler inspects a fake gold-colored coin whose rubbed edge reveals gray base metal beside a genuine gold coin.
Etymology
counterLatinagainst, in opposition
+feitLatinto make, do

The combination of “against” and “make” formed a verb meaning “imitate.” In this adjective, the resemblance serves deception: the copy is made to pass as genuine.

In context

South African Finance with Jimmy4:12
One in four young people across Europe knowingly chose a fake, and one-third of all Europeans said buying counterfeit goods is acceptable if the genuine product is too expensive.
The Economics of Counterfeit Goods

More examples

  • Police seized several counterfeits.
  • The gang counterfeited the tickets.
  • She discovered that the watch was counterfeit.

Forms

counterfeit · counterfeits · counterfeited · counterfeiting

Similar words

fake
Broader and more informal; need not be made to pass as genuine.
forgery
Forgery especially suggests a falsely attributed document or artwork.