Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Not genuine; imitating something superior: Describes something made to look like a real or valuable thing in order to deceive.
   • Pretended; feigned: Describes emotions, feelings, or qualities that are not sincere.

2. Noun:

   • A copy that is represented as the original: An object, especially money or a work of art, that is made to look genuine in order to deceive people.

3. Verb:

   • To make a copy of with the intent to deceive: To illegally produce something that looks exactly like something valuable or genuine, such as money, documents, or branded goods.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The police seized a large amount of counterfeit money.
  • His smile was counterfeit, hiding his true disappointment.

• Noun:

  • The painting was discovered to be a counterfeit.
  • The market was flooded with cheap counterfeits of designer handbags.

• Verb:

  • Criminals counterfeit passports to facilitate illegal immigration.
  • They were arrested for attempting to counterfeit hundred-dollar bills.

Advanced Usage

• "To pass counterfeit": To use counterfeit money or goods as if they were real.

  • He was charged with trying to pass counterfeit currency at the store.

• In a figurative sense: Can describe actions or emotions that are insincere.

  • Her apology seemed counterfeit, lacking any real remorse.

Variants and Related Words

• Counterfeiter (noun): A person who counterfeits money or goods.

  • The counterfeiter was sentenced to ten years in prison.

• Counterfeiting (noun): The crime of producing counterfeit items.

  • The government has strict laws against counterfeiting.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Fake, forged, bogus, sham, spurious, imitation.
• Noun: Fake, forgery, copy, imitation, replica, sham.
• Verb: Fake, forge, copy, imitate, falsify.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Genuine, authentic, real, bona fide.
• Noun: Original, genuine article.
• Verb: Authenticate, validate.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Counterfeit happiness": A state of appearing happy that is not genuine.

  • Behind her laughter was a deep sense of counterfeit happiness.

• "A counterfeit of life": A way of living that is not authentic or meaningful.

  • He felt trapped in a counterfeit of life, just going through the motions.

Adjective

1. not genuine; imitating something superior
   • counterfeit emotion
   • counterfeit money
   • counterfeit works of art
   • a counterfeit prince

Noun

1. a copy that is represented as the original

Verb

1. make a copy of with the intent to deceive
   • he faked the signature
   • they counterfeited dollar bills
   • She forged a Green Card