Spelling.School · How to spell

How to spell counterfeit

Counterfeit is spelled C-O-U-N-T-E-R-F-E-I-T.

hear itcoun·ter·feit/'kaʊntərfɪt/adjectiveAcademic

What it means: Made to look real in order to deceive.

In a sentence: The pirate had a counterfeit treasure map.

The part people get wrong

Watch for the order of ei.

Same family: counterfeited, counterfeiting, counterfeiter, fake, forge. If you can spell one, the shared part carries to the others.

Where it comes from: “Counterfeit” comes from Old French “contrefaire,” meaning “to imitate,” formed from Latin roots meaning “to make against.” Historically, the word was used for imitating coins and documents, but now it can describe fake products, art, and even emotions.

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