noun
Uncommon
forge
fawj
Forge (noun) means a furnace or workshop where metal is heated and shaped. Example: “The blacksmith stoked the forge until the iron glowed red.”
noun
1
A furnace or workshop where metal is heated and shaped.
"The blacksmith stoked the forge until the iron glowed red."
"The village forge was warm and noisy, filled with the ring of hammers."
"Sparks flew from the forge as the smith pulled out a glowing horseshoe."
verb
1
To shape metal by heating and hammering it.
"He forged the blade from a single bar of steel."
"Smiths forged swords and farm tools in the workshop for hundreds of years."
"We watched a craftsman forge a small iron hook on the anvil."
2
To illegally copy or fake a document, signature, or item.
"She was arrested for forging her boss's signature on the checks."
"He tried to forge a doctor's note so he could miss school."
"Police found a gang forging banknotes in a rented garage."
3
To build or develop something gradually through effort.
"The two nations forged a lasting alliance after the war."
"Over the summer camp, the children forged friendships that lasted for years."
"She worked hard to forge a career in journalism from nothing."
How to use forge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the place/act of shaping heated metal, or making a fake copy of something, or building something (like a relationship) through hard work.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "forge" (fake/create) with "forego" (to do without).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
forge a signature
forge ahead
forge a bond
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like forge.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- forges
- Third person singular
- forges
- Past tense
- forged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The blacksmith stoked the _____ until the iron glowed red.
Etymology
From Old French forge, ultimately from Latin fabrica ("workshop"), the same root that gives us "fabric."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for forge
See all rhymes for forge →Frequently asked questions
What does “forge” mean?
The word “forge” means a furnace or workshop where metal is heated and shaped. In plain terms, either the place/act of shaping heated metal, or making a fake copy of something, or building something (like a relationship) through hard work.
How do you pronounce “forge”?
“Forge” is pronounced fawj (/fɔɹd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “forge” in a sentence?
Here is “forge” used in a sentence: “The blacksmith stoked the forge until the iron glowed red.”
What part of speech is “forge”?
Depending on how it is used, “forge” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “forge” come from?
The word “forge” comes from Latin. From Old French forge, ultimately from Latin fabrica ("workshop"), the same root that gives us "fabric.".
Is “forge” a common word?
“Forge” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “forge” have?
“Forge” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a furnace or workshop where metal is heated and shaped.
What is the difference between forge and forget?
Forge and forget are unrelated words that only sound similar. Forge means to shape metal by heating and hammering it, to build something gradually through effort, or to illegally fake a document or signature, while forget means to fail to remember something.
When is forge used to mean something illegal?
Forge is used in a legal or criminal sense when someone illegally copies or fakes a document, signature, or item, such as forging a check or forging a passport. This meaning is distinct from the metalworking sense of shaping metal by heating and hammering.
What is the difference between a forge and a foundry?
A forge is a furnace or workshop where metal is heated and shaped, typically by hammering, often for tools, weapons, or decorative ironwork. A foundry is a facility where metal is melted and poured into molds to cast shapes, a related but distinct metalworking process.
Can forge be used outside of metalworking?
Yes. Forge can describe building or developing something gradually through effort, as in forging a friendship or forging a career, extending the idea of shaping metal through sustained work into a figurative sense.
