forger
UK: ˈfɔːdʒə | US: ˈfɔːrdʒər
n. a person who produces fraudulent copies or imitations, especially of documents, money, or artwork
n. a person who shapes metal by heating and hammering (archaic or specialized usage)
forger = forge<to shape or falsify> + er<agent noun suffix>
- forge (from Old French forger, "to construct, fabricate," ultimately from Latin fabricare, "to make, craft")
- Originally referred to metalworking; later extended metaphorically to fraudulent creation.
- er (agentive suffix in English, indicating "one who does something")
Etymology Origin:
The word forger traces back to metalworking, where forge meant to shape metal by heat and hammer. Over time, it acquired the negative connotation of "fabricating deceitfully," especially in legal contexts (e.g., counterfeit documents). The suffix -er simply denotes the actor, making a forger "one who forges"—whether literally (a blacksmith) or fraudulently.
The police arrested the forger for creating fake passports.
In medieval times, a forger was highly skilled in crafting weapons.
The art collector unknowingly bought a painting made by a notorious forger.
Modern technology makes it harder for forgers to counterfeit currency.
The signature was so well copied that even experts suspected a professional forger.