verb
forge
Make a false copy intended to pass as genuine.
The criminal forges a signature on the stolen check.
Etymology
The verb originally concerned making or fashioning. It developed a dishonest sense when what is made is designed to be accepted as an authentic document, signature, or object.
More examples
- Investigators found several forged documents.
- He was caught forging a passport.
- The letter's supposed author denied it and called it forged.
Forms
forge · forges · forged · forging
Similar words
- counterfeit
- Often applied to money or products rather than signatures.
- falsify
- Falsify can mean altering genuine information rather than making a false copy.