counterfeit Definition
- 1made to look like the original of something, usually for dishonest or illegal purposes
- 2not genuine; fake or false
Using counterfeit: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "counterfeit" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The police seized a large quantity of counterfeit banknotes.
Example
She was accused of selling counterfeit designer handbags.
Example
The painting was discovered to be a counterfeit.
counterfeit Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with counterfeit
fake currency that is made to look like real money
Example
The cashier was trained to spot counterfeit money.
products that are made to look like genuine items but are actually fake
Example
The market was flooded with counterfeit goods.
a forced or insincere smile
Example
She put on a counterfeit smile and pretended everything was fine.
Origins of counterfeit
from Middle English 'countrefeten', meaning 'imitate'
Summary: counterfeit in Brief
The term 'counterfeit' [ˈkaʊntəfɪt] refers to something that is made to look like the original, usually for dishonest or illegal purposes. It can describe fake or false items, such as counterfeit money or counterfeit goods. 'Counterfeit' can also be used to describe a forced or insincere smile.
