pretend

American  

[pri-tend] / prɪˈtɛnd /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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)

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adjective

1. fanciful; make-believe; simulated

   a pretend gun

Related Words

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.

Etymology

Origin of pretend

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

Explanation

To pretend is to act as if you're someone else. If you pretend to be your mother for a phone conference with your math teacher, try putting on her high heels to help you get into character. When children or actors are pretending, it's fine, just playing. But if you pretend to someone who doesn't know you're just playing, you're likely to be condemned for it. No one likes it of you pretend to be a good member of the community just so people won't suspect you when you steal things from their houses. You might pretend you went to Harvard to impress someone, but if he finds out you didn't, he'll be very unimpressed.

Example Sentences

“Although I got less bearish as we declined in the war’s wake, I won’t pretend I wasn’t still leaning short.”

From MarketWatch • May 14, 2026

Speaking to the BBC, McCartney said visitors will ascend the Savile Row building and see "various things" including memorabilia before they can "pretend to be a Beatle" on the roof.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026

Two people have been arrested in connection with a BBC undercover investigation into immigration advisers helping some asylum seekers pretend to be gay to stay in the country.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Kimmel, who has headlined that event before, staged a pretend roast during his Thursday night broadcast that featured spliced-in footage of Melania Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President Vance and others.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

“Anything slightly paranormal. And right now it’s the Spirit of the Sea. If they try to rope you into talking about it, pretend you have to go to the bathroom. That usually works.”

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

Related Words

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