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counterfeitmade in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: made in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkaʊntərˌfɪt/

Example Sentences

  • My friend bought a counterfeit iPhone and wondered why Siri spoke only Chinese!
  • The counterfeit designer handbag fell apart after one day of use.
  • Security features make it harder to counterfeit modern banknotes.

counterfeit

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈkaʊntərˌfɪt/]

made in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud

Under the magnifying glass, the ridiculous smile on the counterfeit bill was clearly revealed.
💡 Concept

Under the magnifying glass, the ridiculous smile on the counterfeit bill was clearly revealed.

COUNTER(desk) + FEET(feet) — hiding under the COUNTER and printing money with his FEET created terrible counterfeit bills.
🧠 Mnemonic

COUNTER(desk) + FEET(feet) — hiding under the COUNTER and printing money with his FEET created terrible counterfeit bills.

To make a quick, dirty profit, the villain sold a painted rock as a counterfeit diamond.
🎵 Rhyme

To make a quick, dirty profit, the villain sold a painted rock as a counterfeit diamond.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈkaʊntərˌfɪt/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈkaʊntəfɪt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixcounter--
Rootfeit

Origin

From Old French 'contrefait', meaning 'made in imitation', derived from 'contre' (against) and 'fait' (made), ultimately from Latin 'facere' (to make). The word entered English in the 14th century to describe fraudulent imitations.

Breakdown

counter- (against) + feit (from Old French 'fait', made) = counterfeit (made against/in imitation of the original)

🎵Rhyme

perfectdefecteffect
perfect
defect
effect

🔗Collocations

counterfeit money
counterfeit goods
counterfeit documents
detect counterfeits
counterfeit designer bags
counterfeit bills

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My friend bought a counterfeit iPhone and wondered why Siri spoke only Chinese!

The counterfeit designer handbag fell apart after one day of use.

Security features make it harder to counterfeit modern banknotes.

He tried to pay with counterfeit money, but the cashier immediately noticed something was fishy.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

fakeforgedfraudulentbogusphony

Antonyms

genuineauthenticreal

Related

imitationreplicaforgeryfraudpiracy

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