pretend
HighNeutral (used across all registers from informal to formal, though the 'play' sense is more informal).
Definition
Meaning
To behave as if something is true when it is not, typically for play, deception, or self-protection.
To claim or assert something falsely; to simulate a feeling or condition; to imagine or make believe in play; used as an adjective to describe something imitative or not genuine (e.g., pretend money).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb carries two primary semantic clusters: 1) Deliberate, playful simulation (children's games). 2) Deliberate, deceptive simulation (adult contexts, often with negative connotations of dishonesty). As an adjective, it implies an imitation not intended to deceive seriously.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The word is used identically in core meaning and register. The adjective usage ('pretend tea') is slightly more established in UK informal speech, especially among/with children, but fully understood in the US.
Connotations
Identical. The playful vs. deceptive dualism exists in both varieties.
Frequency
Similarly high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[S] pretend [that]-CLAUSE[S] pretend to INFINITIVE[S] pretend to N (e.g., to an expert)[S] pretend (intransitive, e.g., 'I'm not, I'm just pretending.')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “pretend money (imitation currency)”
- “pretend friend (imaginary or false friend)”
- “couldn't pretend otherwise”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in negative contexts: 'We can't pretend the market hasn't changed.' Often implies denial.
Academic
Used in psychology, literature, sociology to discuss role-playing, deception, or social performance.
Everyday
Very common: from children's play ('Let's pretend we're astronauts.') to social excuses ('I pretended I had a headache to leave early.').
Technical
Limited. In computing, 'pretend mode' might refer to a simulation state.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The children pretended the sofa was a pirate ship.
- He pretended not to see me in the corridor.
- She can't pretend to like opera when she clearly doesn't.
American English
- The kids pretended the couch was a spaceship.
- He pretended not to know the answer.
- Let's just pretend this never happened.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form. 'Pretendingly' is non-standard and virtually unused.
American English
- No standard adverbial form. 'Pretendingly' is non-standard and virtually unused.
adjective
British English
- They used pretend money in the board game.
- She served us pretend tea from her little kettle.
- It was just a pretend fight for the camera.
American English
- The toddler had a pretend phone to talk on.
- It's a pretend kitchen with plastic food.
- He made a pretend sword out of cardboard.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children pretend to be cats and dogs.
- I sometimes pretend I am a famous singer.
- It's not real money, it's pretend money.
- He pretended to be asleep when his mum came in.
- You can't pretend everything is fine when it's not.
- They were just pretending to argue; it was all a joke.
- She pretended a knowledge of French she did not possess.
- The politician pretended outrage at the allegations.
- The study looked at the role of pretend play in cognitive development.
- He feigned indifference, but his pretense was transparent to those who knew him.
- The regime could no longer pretend to uphold democratic principles.
- Her carefully pretended enthusiasm failed to convince the seasoned interview panel.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a child's PRETEND tea party: they PREtend to TEND (serve) the tea.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A STAGE / SOCIAL ROLES ARE PERFORMANCES (e.g., 'He's just pretending to be confident.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating 'притворяться' for all contexts; 'pretend' is broader. Russian 'делать вид' is closer for the 'feign' sense. 'Pretend' as an adjective has no direct Russian equivalent; use 'игрушечный' or 'ненастоящий'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'pretend' with 'intend'. Using 'pretend' + gerund (incorrect: 'He pretended being sick' -> correct: 'He pretended to be sick'). Overusing the adjective in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'pretend' used as an adjective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Pretend' is more general and neutral; children 'pretend'. 'Feign' is more formal/literary and almost always implies deliberate deception (feign illness, feign interest).
Yes, commonly. E.g., 'Stop pretending!' 'He was pretending to work.'
Yes, etymologically. A 'pretender' is one who puts forward a claim (often dubious or false), extending the core idea of asserting something.
Use the infinitive with 'to': 'pretend to be', 'pretend to know', 'pretend to sleep'. Do not use the gerund (*pretend being).