pretend
pruh-TEHND
Pretend (verb) means to act as if something is true or real when it isn't, in order to deceive or as part of play. Example: “The kids pretended the sofa was a pirate ship.”
verb
1
To act as if something is true or real when it isn't, in order to deceive or as part of play.
"The kids pretended the sofa was a pirate ship."
"She pretended not to notice the mistake in his report."
"Stop pretending you did not hear me, because I know you were listening."
adj
1
Not genuine; imaginary or made up as part of a game.
"They set up a pretend shop with fake money and toy groceries."
"My daughter loves her pretend kitchen and cooks imaginary soup for everyone."
"The children made a pretend castle out of cardboard boxes in the garden."
How to use pretend
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo act like something is true or real, either playfully or to fool someone.
Common pairings
pretend to be
let's pretend
pretend play
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- pretends
- Past tense
- pretended
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kids _____ the sofa was a pirate ship.
Etymology
From Latin praetendere, "to hold out in front, put forward as a cover" — from prae- ("before") + tendere ("to stretch").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “pretend” mean?
The word “pretend” means to act as if something is true or real when it isn't, in order to deceive or as part of play. In plain terms, to act like something is true or real, either playfully or to fool someone.
How do you pronounce “pretend”?
“Pretend” is pronounced pruh-TEHND (/pɹəˈtɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “pretend” in a sentence?
Here is “pretend” used in a sentence: “The kids pretended the sofa was a pirate ship.”
What part of speech is “pretend”?
Depending on how it is used, “pretend” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “pretend” come from?
The word “pretend” comes from Latin. From Latin praetendere, "to hold out in front, put forward as a cover" — from prae- ("before") + tendere ("to stretch").
Is “pretend” a common word?
“Pretend” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “pretend” have?
“Pretend” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to act as if something is true or real when it isn't, in order to deceive or as part of play.
What is the difference between "pretend" and "imagine"?
To "pretend" is to act as if something is true or real when it isn't, either to deceive or as part of play. To "imagine" is to form a picture in your mind. Pretending usually involves outward behaviour, while imagining happens internally.
How do you use "pretend" as an adjective?
As an adjective, "pretend" means not genuine, imaginary, or made up as part of a game, as in "a pretend kitchen." It is informal and is often used with or about children's play.
What is the difference between "pretend to" and "pretend that"?
"Pretend to" is followed by a verb, as in "pretend to sleep." "Pretend that" is followed by a clause, as in "pretend that you are asleep." Both express acting as if something is true when it isn't.
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