Added 9 October 2026
pretend
/pɹəˈtɛnd/ verb
In Latin: simulo, fingo Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about pretend at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
You don't have to pretend that the soup tastes fine.
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To engage in make-believe.
She moved her fingers across the desk, pretending to play the piano.
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To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).
She's pretending illness to get out of the business meeting.
adjective
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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.
noun
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)