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pretend

Saypri-TEND/pɹəˈtɛnd/UK/pɹɪˈtɛnd/

Formspretends, pretending, pretended

9 meanings of pretend

Practice

  1. 1
    verbintransitive
    To play by acting as if something untrue is real, just for fun.

    Like turning a cardboard box into a spaceship while you play.

    The children love to pretend when they play in the backyard.

    Let's pretend we're astronauts exploring a brand-new planet.

    Similarplayact, play

    Note
  2. 2
    verbtransitive or intransitive
    To act as if you feel or have something that you really do not.

    Like putting on a brave face when you are really scared.

    Don't pretend interest if you find the topic boring.

    He looked calm, but he was only pretending.

    Similarfeign, fake, affect, simulate

    Note
  3. 3
    verbintransitive
    To speak or act in a way that gives a false picture of what is true.

    Like wearing a mask so people cannot see your real face.

    He pretended so convincingly that no one doubted him.

    Some people pretend rather than admit that they are upset.

    Similardissemble, bluff, fake, pose

    Note
  4. 4
    adjective
    Made up or imaginary, not real even though it may seem real.

    Like a toy phone that looks real but cannot make a call.

    The kids built a pretend kitchen out of cardboard boxes.

    Her tears were pretend, not real sadness.

    Similarmake-believe, imaginary, fake, feigned, mock

    Oppositereal, genuine, authentic

    Note
  5. 5
    verbformalintransitive
    To say that you have a right to something, such as a title or skill.

    Like raising your hand to say a prize belongs to you.

    Several nobles pretend to the throne after the old king's death.

    He does not pretend to any special skill in music.

    Similarclaim

    Note
  6. 6
    nouncolloquialchildishuncountable
    The act of playing make-believe, acting as if things are real just for fun.

    Like a game where a stick becomes a magic wand.

    The children spent all morning at pretend, feeding their dolls and toys.

    A little pretend helps young kids grow their imagination.

    Similarmake-believe

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 7
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To put something forward as a cover to hide your real reason.
    Lest that too heavenly form, pretended / To hellish falsehood, snare them.
    1667, John Milton, Paradise LostHere, pretended means put over something like a cover to hide it.
    Note
  2. 8
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To plan, intend, or secretly plot to do something.
    Such as shall pretend / Malicious practices against his state.
    1591, William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”Here, pretend means plan or try to bring something about.
    Note
  3. 9
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To hold something out or stretch it forward.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin praetendere "to put forward," made from prae- ("pre-") and tendo ("stretch"). It came into English through French.