Dictionary.com

pretense

[ pri-tens, pree-tens ]
/ prɪˈtɛns, ˈpri tɛns /
Save This Word!

noun

OTHER WORDS FOR pretense

1 shamming.
3 mask, veil.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Also British, preĀ·tence .

Origin of pretense

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Anglo-French, from unattested Medieval Latin praetēnsa, noun use of feminine of praetēnsus, past participle (replacing Latin praetentus ) of praetendere ā€œto put forward, stretch forth, pretendā€; see origin at pretend

OTHER WORDS FROM pretense

preĀ·tenseĀ·ful, adjectivepreĀ·tenseĀ·less, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pretense

pretense , pretext
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Ā© Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pretense in a sentence

FEEDBACK