Counterfeit

/ˈkaʊnərfɪt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

An imitation or a fake, especially of money or goods, that is made with the intent to deceive.

The police seized a large amount of counterfeit that was being sold on the street.

A fraudulent copy or imitation of something.

The museum was shocked to discover that the painting was a counterfeit.

verb

To imitate fraudulently; to make a copy of something with the intent to deceive.

They were arrested for attempting to counterfeit the currency.

To misrepresent something as being genuine.

She was accused of counterfeiting her academic credentials.

adjective

Made to look like something else; fake or artificial.

The store was fined for selling counterfeit designer handbags.

Not genuine; intended to deceive.

He was warned against investing in counterfeit stocks.

Late Middle English: from Old French 'contrefait', which means 'made in imitation'.

counterfeit money

Currency that is forged or artificially produced.

counterfeit goods

Products that are made to look like real items but are fake.

counterfeit identity

An assumed identity, often for fraudulent purposes.

forgery

The act of falsifying documents, signatures, or artwork.

fake

Something that is not genuine; a fraudulent imitation.

fraud

Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.

counterfeiter

He's a skilled counterfeiter who creates fake bills.

knockoff

I bought a knockoff Gucci belt online.