adj

counterfeit

KAWNTUH-fiht

adj

Made to imitate something genuine in order to deceive; fake.

"The shipment of counterfeit watches was seized at customs."

noun

A fake version of something, made to pass as genuine.

"The bill turned out to be a well-made counterfeit."

verb

To make an illegal imitation of something valuable, especially money.

"He was arrested for counterfeiting twenty-dollar bills."

How to Use Counterfeit

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFake, made to look real in order to trick people, especially with money or branded goods.

Common pairings

counterfeit money counterfeit goods counterfeit designer bags

counterfeited past tense, counterfeits plural, counterfeits singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The shipment of _____ watches was seized at customs.

From Old French contrefait, from contra- ("against") + facere ("to make") — literally "made in imitation."

deceit albeit conceit forfeit Fahrenheit gesundheit