pretend Definition
to behave as if something is true when it is not, especially in order to deceive people or for fun.
Using pretend: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pretend" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He pretended to be asleep.
Example
She pretended not to hear him.
Example
The children were pretending to be pirates.
Example
I can't pretend to like him.
pretend Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using pretend
Example
He pretended ignorance when asked about the missing money.
Example
She pretended to be a doctor in order to get free medical supplies.
Example
Let's make believe that we're on a spaceship!
Phrases with pretend
pretend play
a type of imaginative play where children act out various roles and scenarios
Example
Pretend play is an important part of a child's development.
pretend friend
an imaginary friend that a child creates and interacts with
Example
Many children have a pretend friend at some point in their childhood.
Example
After the king died, his younger brother pretended to the throne.
Origins of pretend
from Old French 'pretendre', meaning 'to claim'
Summary: pretend in Brief
The verb 'pretend' [priˈtɛnd] means to act as if something is true when it is not, often for the purpose of deceiving others or for fun. It is commonly used in phrases like 'pretend play' and 'pretend friend,' referring to children's imaginative games. The idiom 'pretend ignorance' means to act as if one does not know something, while 'make believe' means to pretend or imagine something is true.
