feign Definition
to pretend to have a particular feeling or to be ill, asleep, etc..
Using feign: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "feign" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He feigned interest in her stories.
Example
She feigned illness to avoid going to school.
Example
The actor feigned surprise when he won the award.
Example
She feigned sleep to avoid talking to him.
feign Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with feign
Example
He feigned ignorance when asked about the missing money.
Example
The possum feigned death when it saw the predator.
Example
Hamlet feigned madness to avoid suspicion while plotting his revenge.
Origins of feign
from Old French 'feindre', meaning 'to pretend'
Summary: feign in Brief
To 'feign' [feɪn] is to pretend to have a particular feeling or to be ill, asleep, etc. It is often used to avoid something or to deceive someone, as in 'She feigned illness to avoid going to school.' 'Feign' can also be used with phrases like 'feign ignorance,' meaning to pretend not to know something, and 'feign death,' meaning to pretend to be dead.
