forge

¹

[ fawrj, fohrj ]

verb (used with object)

forged, forging.

1. to form by heating and hammering; beat into shape.
2. to form or make, especially by concentrated effort:

   to forge a friendship through mutual trust.

   Synonyms: pirate, falsify, fake, counterfeit, build, create, mold, found, cast

3. to imitate (handwriting, a signature, etc.) fraudulently; fabricate a forgery.

verb (used without object)

forged, forging.

1. to commit forgery.
2. to work at a forge.
3. (of a horse at a trot) to strike the forefeet with the shoes of the hind feet.

noun

1. a special fireplace, hearth, or furnace in which metal is heated before shaping.
2. the workshop of a blacksmith; smithy.

forge

²

[ fawrj, fohrj ]

verb (used without object)

forged, forging.

1. to move ahead slowly; progress steadily:

   to forge through dense underbrush.

2. to move ahead with increased speed and effectiveness (usually followed by ahead ):

   to forge ahead and finish the work in a burst of energy.

forge

¹

/ fɔːdʒ /

noun

1. a place in which metal is worked by heating and hammering; smithy
2. a hearth or furnace used for heating metal
3. a machine used to shape metals by hammering

verb

1. tr to shape (metal) by heating and hammering
2. tr to form, shape, make, or fashion (objects, articles, etc)
3. tr to invent or devise (an agreement, understanding, etc)
4. to make or produce a fraudulent imitation of (a signature, banknote, etc) or to commit forgery

forge

²

/ fɔːdʒ /

verb

1. to move at a steady and persevering pace
2. to increase speed; spurt

Derived Forms

• ˈforgeable, adjective
• ˈforger, noun

Other Word Forms

• forgea·ble adjective
• forger noun
• re·forgea·ble adjective
• un·forgea·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forge¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English forgen, fourgen, from Old French forgier, forger, from Latin fabricāre “to fabricate”; fabric

Origin of forge²

First recorded in 1605–15; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of forge¹

C14: from Old French forgier to construct, from Latin fabricāre , from faber craftsman

Origin of forge²

C17: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The film’s marketing has relied heavily on the real-life relationships forged while filming.

From Salon

Since announcing her campaign in January, Lee has run on a message of unity as a veteran politician with decades of experience forging connections across all interest groups.

From Los Angeles Times

And Knox has forged a unique relationship with her prosecutor, Giuliano Mignini, who was part of the team who once called her a witch and a she-devil.”

From Salon

Or, as Derricotte has put it, the focus is on “doing the work” and seeing traditions and aesthetics, lineages and linkages, constantly forged and foregrounded.

From Los Angeles Times

Bonds forged from necessity create a family network that allows its members to survive World War II, only to struggle with excess when their pachinko parlors become highly successful.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• build
• construct
• create
• devise
• form
• hammer out
• shape