make-believe
MediumInformal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Pretending or imagining that something is real when it is not; a state of fantasy or play-acting.
Can refer to the act of pretending, the quality of being imaginary or fanciful, or the things/characters involved in such pretence. Also used to describe something that is not genuine or real.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a noun or adjective. As a noun, it often refers to the activity or state itself. As an adjective, it describes something imaginary or pretend. The hyphen is standard in both noun and adjective forms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or form. Both varieties use the hyphenated form. Slight preference in British English for 'pretend' as an adjective in some child-play contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly associated with children's imaginative play. Can carry a slightly negative connotation when describing adult behaviour as frivolous or detached from reality.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties. Perhaps slightly more common in American English in literary/critical contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
It's all make-believe.live in a world of make-believeindulge in make-believeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's all make-believe.”
- “a world of make-believe”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used pejoratively: 'Their projections are pure make-believe.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism, psychology (child development), and media studies to discuss fantasy vs. reality.
Everyday
Common when discussing children's play, fiction, or dismissing something as unrealistic.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A - 'make-believe' is not standardly used as a verb.
American English
- N/A - 'make-believe' is not standardly used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'make-believe' is not standardly used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A - 'make-believe' is not standardly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The children built a make-believe castle out of cushions.
- He lives in a make-believe world of his own creation.
American English
- She wore a make-believe crown made of paper.
- His make-believe friend was a talking dinosaur.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children played make-believe in the garden.
- It's not real money; it's make-believe.
- Her stories were full of make-believe characters.
- He couldn't tell the difference between reality and make-believe.
- The film creates a convincing world of make-believe.
- Politicians often engage in a kind of make-believe, promising things they can't deliver.
- The novelist's skill lies in weaving make-believe so seamlessly that it feels like truth.
- Critics dismissed the company's optimistic forecasts as economic make-believe.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
To MAKE someone BELIEVE something that isn't true = MAKE-BELIEVE.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMAGINATION IS A CONSTRUCTED REALITY (we 'make' a state of 'belief').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'make someone believe' (заставить поверить).
- Not equivalent to 'self-deception' (самообман), though related.
- Closer to 'вымысел', 'притворство', or 'игра' (в значении детской игры).
Common Mistakes
- Writing as two separate words ('make believe') when used as a noun/adjective.
- Confusing it with the verb phrase 'to make (someone) believe (something)'.
- Using it as a verb (*'They make-believed they were pirates.' – incorrect; should be 'They pretended they were pirates.')
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'make-believe' correctly as an adjective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'make-believe' is not standardly used as a verb. The verb form is 'pretend'. 'Make-believe' functions as a noun (e.g., 'a world of make-believe') or an adjective (e.g., 'a make-believe friend').
'Pretend' is primarily a verb ('to pretend'). 'Make-believe' is primarily a noun or adjective. You can 'pretend' (verb) something, which means you engage in 'make-believe' (noun). A 'pretend' (adjective) friend is the same as a 'make-believe' friend.
Yes, when used as a noun or adjective, it is almost always hyphenated: make-believe. The unhyphenated form 'make believe' is the verb phrase meaning 'to cause to believe'.
While strongly associated with children's imaginative play, it can be used for adults, often with a slightly critical tone to describe unrealistic thinking, fantasy, or deliberate deception.
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