Definition
To create or build something strong, such as a relationship or plan, through steady effort. Can also mean to shape metal using heat and a hammer.
Example
They worked together to forge a lasting friendship.
Show translation
They worked together to forge a lasting friendship.
Etymology
From Old French *forge*, from Latin *fabrica* ("workshop, craft"), related to *faber* ("craftsman, smith"). The metalworking sense is the oldest; the figurative sense — building or creating something durable — emerged naturally from the image of hammering raw material into a strong, finished form.
Cultural note
In English, *forge* carries a strong connotation of deliberate, effortful creation — you don't stumble into a forged bond, you work for it. Note the false-friend trap: *forge* also means to fraudulently copy a document or signature ("he forged her name"), a completely separate meaning that often surprises learners. Context is key.