What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
forgery
Example
The artist was accused of forgery for selling fake paintings as originals. [forgery: noun]
Example
He was arrested for forging his boss's signature on the check. [forging: verb]
counterfeit
Example
The police seized a large amount of counterfeit money from the suspect's house. [counterfeit: adjective]
Example
She was charged with counterfeiting designer handbags and selling them online. [counterfeiting: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Counterfeit is a more commonly used term than forgery in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of items and contexts. However, forgery may be more commonly used in legal or artistic circles.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between forgery and counterfeit?
Both forgery and counterfeit are formal terms that are typically used in serious or legal contexts. However, counterfeit may be more versatile and can be used in more casual contexts as well.
