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

The board supports Zaslav’s desire to forge ahead with a planned split of the company next spring.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It remains to be seen whether McKenna is prepared to leave English football to forge a new chapter in Scotland - though sources have indicated the manager would be open to a move.

Read more on BBC

What kind of better, stronger customer relationships can we forge using this technology?

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Over decades, Peronism built up strong loyalty and territorial control in the province by forging close ties to organized labor and grassroots organizations, handing out pensions for retired manual laborers and stipends for young mothers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Suffolk museum said forging links with the museum in Salem was "part of a project to explore the shared history of the infamous witch trials and encourage US visitors to the town".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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