pretend

Verb

1. (intransitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.
2. (intransitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.
3. (intransitive, transitive) To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.
4. (formal, intransitive) To lay claim (to an ability, status, advantage, etc.).
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.
6. (obsolete, transitive) To intend; to design, to plot; to attempt.
7. (obsolete, transitive) To hold before one; to extend.

Adj

Not really what it is represented as being; imaginary, feigned.

Noun

The act of engaging in pretend play.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pɹəˈtɛnd/

Etymology

Cognate with French: prétendre

In summary

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.

Synonyms

feign

simulate

sham

fake

affect

dissemble

make-believe

make believe

assume

act

profess

disguise

play

claim

deceive

purport

plead

impersonate

venture

act as if

dare

simulated

pose

cheat

dissimulate

delude

allege

hazard

counterfeit

beguile

guess

show off

fool

pseudo

feint

take

parade

falsely

lay claim

make

dupe

imitate

playact

bluff

behavior

allege as excuse

deliberate

give as an excuse

behave

act like

Sentences

A child is looking through a pretend telescope on playground equipment in front of a blue sky .