pretend

[pri-tend]

verb (used with object)

1. to cause or attempt to cause (what is not so) to seem so.

   to pretend illness; to pretend that nothing is wrong.

   Synonyms: counterfeit, sham, fake, simulate

2. to appear falsely, as to deceive; feign.

   to pretend to go to sleep.

3. to make believe.

   The children pretended to be cowboys.

4. to presume; venture.

   I can't pretend to say what went wrong.

5. to allege or profess, especially insincerely or falsely.

   He pretended to have no knowledge of her whereabouts.

verb (used without object)

1. to make believe.

2. to lay claim to (usually followed byto ).

   She pretended to the throne.

3. to make pretensions (usually followed byto ).

   He pretends to great knowledge.

4. Obsolete.,  to aspire, as a suitor or candidate (followed byto ).

adjective

1. Informal.,  make-believe; simulated; counterfeit.

   pretend diamonds.

pretend

/ prɪˈtɛnd /

verb

1. (when tr, usually takes a clause as object or an infinitive) to claim or allege (something untrue)

2. (tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to make believe, as in a play

   you pretend to be Ophelia

3. to present a claim, esp a dubious one

   to pretend to the throne

4. obsolete,  to aspire as a candidate or suitor (for)

adjective

1. fanciful; make-believe; simulated

   a pretend gun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pretend¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English pretenden, from Latin praetendere “to stretch forth, put forward, pretend.” See pre-, tend ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of pretend¹

C14: from Latin praetendere to stretch forth, feign, from prae in front + tendere to stretch

Synonym Study

Pretend, affect, assume, feign imply an attempt to create a false appearance. To pretend is to create an imaginary characteristic or to play a part: to pretend sorrow. To affect is to make a consciously artificial show of having qualities that one thinks would look well and impress others: to affect shyness. To assume is to take on or put on a specific outward appearance, often (but not always) with intent to deceive: to assume an air of indifference. To feign implies using ingenuity in pretense, and some degree of imitation of appearance or characteristics: to feign surprise.

Example Sentences

She said she pretended to be a sort-of fake tour guide when he needed directions and offered to take him around “because he was cute.”

From Los Angeles Times

In pretending to share Roman’s affliction, Dennis is also hiding that he had a short-lived fling with Roman’s brother.

From Los Angeles Times

But I’m not even going to attempt to pretend to have any real expertise in the adventures of a large rotating cast over 22 seasons.

From Los Angeles Times

He added: "John Swinney knows he's got no chance of winning a majority next year, so he is instead trying to pretend he has a plan for independence, when he doesn't."

From BBC

"I wanted to sweat and pretend it was an activity, or a match or something."

From BBC

Related Words

• assume 
• bluff 
• feign 
• fool 
• impersonate 
• profess 
• purport 
• put on