feign
C1formal/literary
Definition
Meaning
to pretend to have a particular feeling, illness, or condition
to give a false appearance of; to invent or fabricate something deceptively
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies deliberate deception with an element of artistry or performance; carries connotations of insincerity or artifice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; equally formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more literary in British English; equally formal in American English.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, more common in written than spoken language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
feign + noun (feign illness)feign + that-clause (feign that he was asleep)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “feign indifference”
- “feign ignorance is bliss (rare)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; might appear in contexts about deceptive negotiations or false presentations.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, psychology (deception studies), and historical analysis.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation; more likely in narratives or descriptions of behaviour.
Technical
Used in acting/theatre terminology and some psychological assessments.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He feigned a British accent to impress his colleagues.
- The diplomat feigned interest during the lengthy briefing.
American English
- She feigned illness to skip the meeting.
- He feigned surprise when they told him the news.
adverb
British English
- No common adverb form in use.
American English
- No common adverb form in use.
adjective
British English
- No common adjective form in use.
American English
- No common adjective form in use.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The child feigned sleep when his mother entered the room.
- She feigned a smile though she was upset.
- He feigned ignorance of the rules to avoid punishment.
- The animal feigned death to escape from the predator.
- The politician feigned concern for the environment during the debate.
- She feigned enthusiasm for the project, though privately she had reservations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'FEIGN' as 'FAKE' + 'ACTING' – you fake acting a certain way.
Conceptual Metaphor
DECEPTION IS PERFORMANCE / FALSEHOOD IS A MASK
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'притворяться' (which is broader) – 'feign' is more specific and formal.
- Do not translate as 'симулировать' in medical contexts only; 'feign' applies to feelings and states too.
- Note that 'feign' does not mean 'pretend' in the sense of children's imaginative play.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He feigned to be sick.' (Correct: 'He feigned sickness' or 'He feigned that he was sick.')
- Incorrect: 'She feigned asleep.' (Correct: 'She feigned sleep.')
- Overusing in informal contexts where 'pretend' or 'fake' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'feign' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's relatively formal and literary. 'Pretend' or 'fake' are more common in everyday speech.
No, it's not standard. Use 'feign + noun' (feign illness) or 'feign + that-clause' (feign that he was ill).
'Feign' is more formal, often implies deliberate deception. 'Pretend' is neutral and broader, covering both deception and imaginative play.
The related noun is 'feigning' (the act of feigning), but it's quite rare. 'Pretense' is a more common noun for the concept.