Words / C1

FORJ/fɔːdʒ/

To forge can mean to build something strong through effort (forge an alliance, forge a career) or to fake a document or signature (forge a cheque). Build is everyday for the first sense; falsify (this batch) is the record-altering cousin of the second. A forge (noun) is a smith’s fire. Do not treat a car-park handshake as a written agreement on cover.

Meaning

To build something strong with effort; also to fake a document or signature.

Examples

• “Forge a written agreement on cover; a handshake in the car park is not one.”
• “Build is everyday. Counterfeit is the crime twin of the fake sense. Falsify (this batch) alters a true record; forging a signature invents authority. A handshake is not the log. Put the cover agreement on paper with a date.”

Good to know

Build with effort (or fake a document). Everyday: build. Crime cousin: counterfeit. Falsify (this batch) alters records. A handshake is not the agreement.

Near in meaning

build

New