Etymology Map
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Forge

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a blacksmith's workshop; to make or counterfeit

Where does the word "forge" come from? It comes from Latin fabrica, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
fabrica
Latin · ancient
"workshop"
from 'faber', smith, the root of 'fabric' and 'fabricate'
2
Stage 2 of 3
forge
Old French · medieval
"smithy"
a blacksmith's furnace
3
Stage 3 of 3
forge
English · 1300s
"smithy; to shape metal"
'forge' as counterfeit dates from the 1300s too
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Read the full story

Forge’s story begins in Latin: fabrica meant “workshop.” From 'faber', smith, the root of 'fabric' and 'fabricate'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as forge. A blacksmith's furnace. It reached English by 1300s as forge. 'forge' as counterfeit dates from the 1300s too. Today, forge means a blacksmith's workshop; to make or counterfeit.