Dictionary

pretend en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /pɹɪˈtɛnd/
• /pɹiˈtɛnd/
• /pɹəˈtɛnd/
• (General-American) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *per- Proto-Indo-European *preh₂- Proto-Indo-European *-i Proto-Indo-European *préh₂i? Proto-Italic *prai Proto-Italic *prai- Latin prae- Proto-Indo-European *ten- Proto-Indo-European *tend- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *téndeti Proto-Italic *tendō Latin tendō Latin praetendōbor. Anglo-Norman pretendreder. English pretend From Anglo-Norman pretendre, Middle French pretendre (French prétendre (“to claim, demand”)), from Latin praetendere (“to put forward, hold out, pretend”), from prae- (“pre-”) + tendō (“stretch”); see tend.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable) Not really what it is represented as being; imaginary, feigned.
   • As children we used to go on "spying" missions around the neighbour's house, but it was all pretend.

Synonyms

mimic

Translations (9)

mi whakakikokiko (imaginary) · sv på låtsas (imaginary) · fr faire semblant (imaginary) · fi teeskentely (imaginary) · fi teeskennelty (imaginary) · fr pour de faux (imaginary) · pl na niby (imaginary) · bg престорен (imaginary) · es de mentirijillas (imaginary)

pretend en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /pɹɪˈtɛnd/
• /pɹiˈtɛnd/
• /pɹəˈtɛnd/
• (General-American) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *per- Proto-Indo-European *preh₂- Proto-Indo-European *-i Proto-Indo-European *préh₂i? Proto-Italic *prai Proto-Italic *prai- Latin prae- Proto-Indo-European *ten- Proto-Indo-European *tend- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *téndeti Proto-Italic *tendō Latin tendō Latin praetendōbor. Anglo-Norman pretendreder. English pretend From Anglo-Norman pretendre, Middle French pretendre (French prétendre (“to claim, demand”)), from Latin praetendere (“to put forward, hold out, pretend”), from prae- (“pre-”) + tendō (“stretch”); see tend.

Meanings

1. (childish, informal, uncountable) The act of engaging in pretend play.
   • We used to dress up in our grandparents' old clothes and play pretend.

Deriveds

make pretend

pretend en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /pɹɪˈtɛnd/
• /pɹiˈtɛnd/
• /pɹəˈtɛnd/
• (General-American) audio

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *per- Proto-Indo-European *preh₂- Proto-Indo-European *-i Proto-Indo-European *préh₂i? Proto-Italic *prai Proto-Italic *prai- Latin prae- Proto-Indo-European *ten- Proto-Indo-European *tend- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *téndeti Proto-Italic *tendō Latin tendō Latin praetendōbor. Anglo-Norman pretendreder. English pretend From Anglo-Norman pretendre, Middle French pretendre (French prétendre (“to claim, demand”)), from Latin praetendere (“to put forward, hold out, pretend”), from prae- (“pre-”) + tendō (“stretch”); see tend.

Meanings

1. (intransitive, with 'that' clause 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.
   • I have nothing but contempt for people who hire ghost-writers. But at least most faux authors have the decency to pretend that they are sweating blood over "their" book. 2009 April 13, “Vanity publishing”, in The Economist:
   • To get into the club, he pretended to be over 18.
   • "After what past at Upton, so soon to engage in a new amour with another woman, while I fancied, and you pretended, your heart was bleeding for me!" 1749, Henry Fielding, chapter 23, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book XVIII:
   • You don't have to pretend to like the soup.
   • You pretend you're high / Pretend you're bored / Pretend you're anything / Just to be adored 1996, “Stupid Girl”, performed by Garbage:
   • If you don't like it, say so. You don't have to pretend.
   • It's rather like a beautiful Inverness cloak one has inherited. Much too good to hide away, so one wears it instead of an overcoat and pretends it's an amusing new fashion. 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 5, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
   • You don't have to pretend that the soup tastes fine.
   • But I love you / More than I wanted to / There's no point in trying to pretend 1983 October 31, Genesis, “That's All”, in Genesis:
2. (intransitive, with 'that' clause 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance. ▸ To engage in make-believe.
   • I put on shorts, made a hat and feather and got beer mugs. Bridget put a long skirt on and a skarf ^([sic]) and we square danced and pretended singing in German. Great fun! 1965 January 3, Lou Sullivan, Diary:
   • Luster claimed that the women had consented to sex and were only pretending to be asleep. 2003 January 23, Duncan Campbell, The Guardian, London:
   • She didn't have a real piano to play, so she just pretended.
   • "The truth is, Ma'am," said Mrs. Grant, pretending to whisper across the table to Mrs. Norris, "that Dr. Grant hardly knows what the natural taste of our apricot is;[…]." 1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter VI, in Mansfield Park: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, pages 111–112:
   • She moved her fingers across the desk, pretending to play the piano.
3. (intransitive, transitive, with 'that' clause 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance. ▸ To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).
   • Dropping one's anger and pretending indifference does not make one objective, only acceptable. 1980 February 9, Charley Shively, “Radical History: Not Radical Enough”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 28, page 12:
   • He pretended an air of indifference that he'd never assumed before.
   • This let him know, / Lest, wilfully transgressing, he pretend / Surprisal. 1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
   • She's pretending illness to get out of the business meeting.
   • Gap and other clothes manufacturers should stop using small subcontractors because they are difficult to control. Instead, they should open up their own fully-owned production facilities so that they cannot pretend ignorance when abuses are committed. 2007 October 29, The Guardian, London:
4. (formal, intransitive, with 'to') To lay claim (to an ability, status, advantage, etc.).
   • People observed the diversity of schools and the acerbity of their disputes, and decided that all alike were pretending to knowledge which was in fact unattainable. 1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.25:
   • The family's exile was intended to stop them pretending to the throne.
   • Chiefs shall be grudged the part which they pretend. 1682, John Dryden, The Medal:
5. (obsolete, transitive) To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden.
   • Lest that too heavenly form, pretended / To hellish falsehood, snare them. 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
6. (obsolete, transitive) To intend; to design, to plot; to attempt.
   • Such as shall pretend / Malicious practices against his state. 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
7. (obsolete, transitive) To hold before one; to extend.
   • Pastorella […] Was by the Captaine all this while defended, / Who, minding more her safety then himselfe, / His target alwayes over her pretended[…]. 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book VI, Canto XI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
   • But had thoſe vvits the vvonders of their dayes, / Or that ſvveete Teian Poet [Anacreon] vvhich did ſpend / His plenteous vaine in ſetting forth her [Venus's] prayſe, / Seene but a glims of this, vvhich I pretend, / Hovv vvondrouſly vvould he her face commend, […] 1596, Edm[und] Spenser, “An Hymne of Heavenly Beautie”, in Fowre Hymnes, London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, page 43:

Forms

Deriveds

outpretend · Pretendian · pretendedly · Pretendolino · unpretending · pretended · unpretended · pretendingly · pretendingness

Relateds

pretender · pretense · pretension · pretentiousness · pretentious

Synonyms

make like · make like · make like

Translations (102)

tr numara yapmak (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · ko -ㄴ/는/은/인 척하다 (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · gd leig air (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · nn låst (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · kk болып көріну (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · de so tun, als ob (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · aeb عمَل رُوحُو (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · nb forstille (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · af voorgee (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · be прыкіда́цца (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ms berlagak (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · pl udawać (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · is þykjast (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · lut ʔiw̓adəb (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · be прыкі́двацца (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · es pretender (2. (intransitive with 'to', formal, originally transitive) To lay claim (to an ability, status, advantage, etc.).) · ru прики́дываться (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · hi ढोंग (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · uk вдава́ти (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · es dragonear (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · af voorgee (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · fi teeskennellä (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · pt fingir (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · it fare finta (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · fr feindre (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · es aparentar (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · tl magkunwari (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · sv låtsas (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · nl voorgeven (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · ru прики́нуться (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · sk predstierať (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · el προσποιούμαι (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · eo komedii (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · gl finxir (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · mi whakatakune (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · fi teeskennellä (2. (intransitive with 'to', formal, originally transitive) To lay claim (to an ability, status, advantage, etc.).) · bg престру́вам се (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · is láta eins og (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · sq mëtoj (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · tr uydurmak (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · bg да́вам вид (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ro pretinde (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ga lig ar (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · bg претенди́рам (2. (intransitive with 'to', formal, originally transitive) To lay claim (to an ability, status, advantage, etc.).) · izh näyttää (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ru притворя́ться (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · la fingo (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · bg престру́вам се (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · fi olla tekevinään (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · fi tekeytyä (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · tl magkunwari (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · es hacer la finta (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · fr faire semblant (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · be прыкі́нуцца (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · cmn 假裝 /假装 (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ga lig ar (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ru де́лать вид (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · vi giả vờ (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · fi teeskennellä (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · fr prétendre (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · tr rol yapmak (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · mi whakataruna (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · cy cogio (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · da foregive (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · tr kandırmak (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · de vortäuschen (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · ru притвори́ться (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ca fer veure (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · eo hipokriti (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ja 装う (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · mi whakangaio (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ko -ㄴ/는/은/인 체하다 (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · es asacar (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · cs předstírat (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · it fingere (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · mi whakataruna (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · ar تَظَاهَرَ (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · hu tettet (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · izh loottiissa (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ru претендовать (2. (intransitive with 'to', formal, originally transitive) To lay claim (to an ability, status, advantage, etc.).) · ms berpura-pura (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · bg симули́рам (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ar اِدَّعَى (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · kea finji (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · id berpura-pura (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ja ...の振りをする (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ja 見せ掛ける (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · tr üç kağıda getirmek (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ar زَعَمَ (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · kea finji (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · is þykjast (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · ru сде́лать вид (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · uk удава́ти (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · kk болғансу (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · cmn 佯裝 /佯装 (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · om fakkeessuu (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · ca fingir (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ta நடி (1.2. (transitive) To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).) · la simulo (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · ro preface (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.) · fr prétendre à (2. (intransitive with 'to', formal, originally transitive) To lay claim (to an ability, status, advantage, etc.).) · nl doen alsof (1. (intransitive or with 'that' clause or 'to' infinitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.)