pretend

/pri'tend/
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pretend

The children use pretend money to buy toys from their play store.

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!
pretend

The children use pretend money to buy toys from their play store.

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

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