Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Pre·tend

   /prēˈtend/

   

   verb

   • 1. speak and act so as to make it appear that something is the case when in fact it is not: "I closed my eyes and pretended I was asleep" Similar make as ifprofessaffectdissimulatedissembleposepostureput it onput on a false frontgo through the motionsshamfake itinformal:kid
   • ▪ engage in a game or fantasy that involves supposing something that is not the case to be so: "children pretending to be grown-ups" Similar put on an actmake believeplay atactplayactpass oneself off asbluffimpersonate
   • ▪ give the appearance of feeling or possessing (an emotion or quality); simulate: "she pretended a greater surprise than she felt" Similar feignshamfakesimulateput oncounterfeitaffect
   • 2. lay claim to (a quality or title): "he cannot pretend to sophistication"

   adjective

   • 1. not really what it is represented as being; used in a game or deception: informal "the children are pouring out pretend tea for the dolls"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Latin praetendere ‘stretch forth, claim’, from prae ‘before’ + tendere ‘stretch’. The adjective dates from the early 20th century.

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • D

     2

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less