counterfeit

[ koun-ter-fit ]

adjective

1. made in imitation so as to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine; not genuine; forged:

   counterfeit dollar bills.

   Synonyms: bogus, spurious

2. pretended; unreal:

   counterfeit grief.

   Synonyms: ersatz, fake, mock, make-believe, pretend, feigned, sham

noun

1. an imitation intended to be passed off fraudulently or deceptively as genuine; forgery.

   Synonyms: falsification, sham

2. Archaic. a copy.
3. Archaic. a close likeness; portrait.
4. Obsolete. impostor; pretender.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a counterfeit of; imitate fraudulently; forge.

   Synonyms: falsify, copy

2. to resemble.
3. to simulate.

verb (used without object)

1. to make counterfeits, as of money.
2. to feign; dissemble.

counterfeit

/ ˈkaʊntəfɪt /

adjective

1. made in imitation of something genuine with the intent to deceive or defraud; forged
2. simulated; sham

   counterfeit affection

noun

1. an imitation designed to deceive or defraud
2. archaic.
   an impostor; cheat

verb

1. tr to make a fraudulent imitation of
2. intr to make counterfeits
3. to feign; simulate
4. tr to imitate; copy

Derived Forms

• ˈcounterfeiter, noun

Other Words From

• counter·feiter noun
• counter·feitly adverb
• counter·feitness noun
• non·counter·feit adjective
• un·counter·feited adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterfeit¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (adjective) Middle English countrefet “false, forged,” from Anglo-French cuntrefet, Old French contrefait, contrefet, past participle of contrefaire, contrefere “to copy, imitate,” equivalent to conter- counter- + fere “to make, do,” ultimately from Latin facere ( fact ); (verb) Middle English countrefeten, verbal derivative of countrefet

Word History and Origins

Origin of counterfeit¹

C13: from Old French contrefait, from contrefaire to copy, from contre- counter- + faire to make, from Latin facere

Synonym Study

See false.

Example Sentences

This helps to reduce thefts, but also means counterfeit Parmigiano Reggiano can be identified, as each tiny chip contains a unique digital ID that can authenticate the cheese.

From BBC

The cheque was eventually returned as counterfeit but the defendant still owed the bank more than $290,000, the filing added.

From BBC

This disinformation campaign "plagues social media with fake posts, counterfeit documents and deepfake material", says the Foreign Office.

From BBC

Between the time U.S. officials knew about counterfeit meds at Mexican pharmacies and the time they posted a warning about the threat, Americans died.

From Los Angeles Times

Here’s the exact language: “It is expressly agreed that, should any Materials become public by any means including through third parties after the date of this Agreement, all parties will disclaim them as counterfeit or forgeries.”

From Slate