make-believe
[meyk-bi-leev]
- pretense, especially of an innocent or playful kind; feigning; sham: the make-believe of children playing.
- a pretender; a person who pretends.
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- pretended; feigned; imaginary; made-up; unreal: a make-believe world of fantasy.
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Origin of make-believe
First recorded in 1805–15
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for make-believe
Contemporary Examples
Donetsk, formerly a make-believe republic, is turning into a little neo-Soviet state.
We were at the CIA recently, and I broached this question because it was front and center in our make-believe intelligence agency.
Was this a conspiracy as charged in the indictment, or just some make-believe as the defense contends?
As head of a state—even such a make-believe state as the Vatican—Joseph Ratzinger has absolute immunity from legal action.
They play a game called “neighborhood,” in which each boy sets up a make-believe house and Edrees stops by to talk.
Historical Examples
Then, after having finished my make-believe work, I retired.
The Black TulipAlexandre Dumas (Pere)
It is understood that there is to be no make-believe about the fares.
All depends on the completeness and constancy with which the make-believe is supported.
The Mystery of Murray DavenportRobert Neilson Stephens
I can't say I'm happy, exactly, but Maud is and I'm goin' to make-believe be, for her sake.
ShavingsJoseph C. Lincoln
That was just like my runaway, all innocent acting and make-believe.
The ChristianHall Caine
Word Origin and History for make-believe
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper