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 byahead ).

   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

Other Word Forms

• forgeable adjective
• forger noun
• reforgeable adjective
• unforgeable 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

Registrar of Voters faced attacks over the integrity of the 2024 election after unfounded allegations of forged signatures, non-U.S. citizens voting and duplicated ballots circulated on social media.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s those small gestures during their hangouts — like Dennis refraining from correcting Roman’s misuse of idioms — that forge a special if imbalanced dynamic as they try to fill their respective voids.

From Los Angeles Times

The 69-year-old has forged a career playing to all sides of contentious issues while sincerely committing to none.

From Los Angeles Times

He has spoken about forging a new "Green left" and of collaborating with Corbyn on policy, although he has stopped short of proposing a formal electoral pact, saying it is "too soon".

From BBC

After 15 years in Sublime with Rome, the 37-year-old has forged a new path as a solo artist.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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