What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
counterfeit
Example
The police seized a large amount of counterfeit money from the suspect's home. [counterfeit: adjective]
Example
She was caught trying to sell a counterfeit designer handbag. [counterfeit: noun]
imitation
Example
The artist created an imitation of Van Gogh's famous painting. [imitation: noun]
Example
The store sells imitation leather jackets that look like the real thing. [imitation: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Imitation is more commonly used than counterfeit in everyday language. Imitation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while counterfeit is less common and often associated with illegal activities.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between counterfeit and imitation?
Both counterfeit and imitation can be used in formal and informal contexts, but counterfeit may be more commonly used in legal or criminal contexts, while imitation may be more commonly used in artistic or decorative contexts.
