Definition

1. Verb (transitive and intransitive):

   • To behave in a way that is not genuine, in order to deceive others or for fun: To act as if something is true or real when it is not.
   • To claim or assert something falsely or without justification: To put forward a claim, right, or title that is not valid.
   • To imagine or engage in make-believe: To create a fictional scenario, often as part of play or fantasy.

2. Adjective:

   • Imaginary, not real; used in play or make-believe: Describing something that is imagined or used for the purpose of imitation and fun.

3. Noun (uncountable):

   • The act or state of pretending; make-believe: The activity or condition of engaging in pretense.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (to deceive or act falsely):

  • She pretended not to hear the question. (She acted as if she had not heard it.)
  • He pretended that he was an expert. (He falsely claimed to be an expert.)
  • The child pretended to be a pirate. (The child imagined and acted the role of a pirate for fun.)

• Verb (to put forward a false claim):

  • He pretended to the throne. (He made a false claim to royal authority.)

• Adjective (imagined for play):

  • They had a pretend tea party with their stuffed animals. (They held an imaginary tea party.)
  • He paid with pretend money. (He used imitation money that was not real.)

• Noun (the act of pretending):

  • Their argument was just pretend. (Their disagreement was not serious; it was make-believe.)
  • It's all pretend, nothing is real. (Everything is part of a fantasy or act.)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Pretend to" + verb: Used to indicate the specific false action or state.

  • He pretended to be asleep. (He acted as if he were sleeping.)
  • She pretends to understand, but she is confused. (She acts like she understands when she does not.)

• "Pretend that" + clause: Used to introduce the false scenario.

  • Let's pretend that we are explorers. (Let's imagine we are explorers.)
  • He pretended that everything was fine. (He acted as if everything was okay.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pretense (Noun): An attempt to make something that is not the case appear true; a false display.
  • His kindness was all a pretense.
• Pretender (Noun): A person who claims or aspires to a title or position.
  • The pretender to the throne was exiled.
• Pretended (Adjective): Alleged or claimed, but often falsely.
  • His pretended friendship masked his envy.

Synonyms

• Feign: To pretend to be affected by a feeling, state, or injury.
  • He feigned illness to skip work.
• Sham: Something false presented as genuine; to falsely assume the appearance of.
  • It was a sham marriage for immigration purposes.
• Simulate: To imitate the appearance or character of.
  • The flight simulator simulates real flying conditions.
• Make believe: To engage in imaginative play or fantasy.
  • Children love to make believe they are superheroes.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Pretend" is not commonly used with particles to form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically conveyed directly or with "to" or "that" clauses.)

Related Idioms and Expressions

• Pretend not to notice: To deliberately act as if one has not seen or become aware of something.
  • She pretended not to notice his embarrassing mistake.
• Just pretending / It's just pretend: Used to clarify that an action or situation is not real, especially in play.
  • Don't be scared, the monster is just pretend!

Adjective

1. imagined as in a play
   • the make-believe world of theater
   • play money
   • dangling their legs in the water to catch pretend fish

Noun

1. the enactment of a pretense
   • it was just pretend

Verb

1. state insincerely
   • He professed innocence but later admitted his guilt
   • She pretended not to have known the suicide bomber
   • She pretends to be an expert on wine
2. represent fictitiously, as in a play, or pretend to be or act like
   • She makes like an actress
3. put forward, of a guess, in spite of possible refutation
   • I am guessing that the price of real estate will rise again
   • I cannot pretend to say that you are wrong
4. put forward a claim and assert right or possession of
   • pretend the title of King
5. behave unnaturally or affectedly
   • She's just acting
6. make believe with the intent to deceive
   • He feigned that he was ill
   • He shammed a headache