dissimulation
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of dissimulation
1350–1400; Middle English dissimulacioun (< Anglo-French ) < Latin dissimulātiōn- (stem of dissimulātiō a feigning); see dis- 1, simulation
Explanation
The noun dissimulation describes the act of faking your true feelings. Your dissimulation of happiness might fool strangers but your close friends can tell it's all an act. The word dissimulation implies that the wool is being pulled over someone's eyes, or they're being fooled or tricked by someone's deceit. The origin of dissimulation is the Latin dissimulationem, which means "a disguising or concealment." Don't confuse dissimulation with dissimilation, which describes the act of making something different or less similar.
Vocabulary lists containing dissimulation
"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
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"The Tell-Tale Heart," Vocabulary from the short story
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"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 8–13
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The 32-year-old began dabbling in the music world back in the 2010s, but his work really picked up steam in 2020 when his debut album Dissimulation shot to number two in the UK charts.
From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026
Dissimulation and enchanted islands alike were catnip to 18th century opera composers, as they have been in literature and myth through the ages.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2021
At the same time, only one British debut album - KSI's Dissimulation - sold the 60,000 copies required to be awarded a silver disc.
From BBC • Jan. 19, 2021
He's since followed it up with two further top 10 hits; while his debut album, Dissimulation, was only held off number one by The 1975 this March.
From BBC • Oct. 27, 2020
Two Persons often study for six Months together to bubble one another, and at last they marry, and punish one another the Remainder of their Lives for their Dissimulation.
From Prefaces to Fiction by Warburton, William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
