English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

pretender

prih-TEHN-duhr

Pretender (noun) means someone who claims a right to a position, especially a throne, though the claim is often disputed. Example: “The exiled prince remained a pretender to the throne for decades.”

noun
1
Someone who claims a right to a position, especially a throne, though the claim is often disputed.
"The exiled prince remained a pretender to the throne for decades."
2
Someone who fakes a quality, belief, or status they don't genuinely have.
"He turned out to be a pretender with no real expertise in the field."

How to use pretender

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither a rival claimant to a title, or someone faking who they really are.

Common pairings
pretender to the throne

Word forms

pretendered past tense, pretenders plural, pretenders singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “pretender” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The exiled prince remained a _____ to the throne for decades.

Etymology

From pretend + -er.

Related words

Rhymes for pretender

See all rhymes for pretender →

Frequently asked questions

What does “pretender” mean?

The word “pretender” means someone who claims a right to a position, especially a throne, though the claim is often disputed. In plain terms, either a rival claimant to a title, or someone faking who they really are.

How do you pronounce “pretender”?

“Pretender” is pronounced prih-TEHN-duhr (/pɹɪˈtɛndəɹ/ in IPA).

How do you use “pretender” in a sentence?

Here is “pretender” used in a sentence: “The exiled prince remained a pretender to the throne for decades.”

What part of speech is “pretender”?

“Pretender” is a noun.

How many meanings does “pretender” have?

“Pretender” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who claims a right to a position, especially a throne, though the claim is often disputed.

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial