Pretending: meaning, definitions and examples

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pretending

[ prɪˈtɛndɪŋ ]

^{Context #1}

behavior

Behave so as to make it appear that something is the case when in fact it is not.

Synonyms

act, feign, make-believe, simulate

Examples of usage

He was pretending to be asleep
She pretended not to care

^{Context #2}

role play

Speak and act so as to make it appear that one is someone or something else.

Synonyms

emulate, imagine, impersonate, mimic

Examples of usage

The children were pretending to be doctors
She pretended to be a famous actress

Translations

Translations of the word "pretending" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fingindo

🇮🇳 नाटक करना

🇩🇪 vortäuschen

🇮🇩 berpura-pura

🇺🇦 прикидання

🇵🇱 udawanie

🇯🇵 ふりをする

🇫🇷 prétendant

🇪🇸 fingiendo

🇹🇷 numara yapmak

🇰🇷 가장하다

🇸🇦 يتظاهر

🇨🇿 předstírání

🇸🇰 predstieranie

🇨🇳 假装

🇸🇮 pretvarjanje

🇮🇸 þykjast

🇰🇿 жалған айту

🇬🇪 ცრუ

🇦🇿 yalan danışma

🇲🇽 fingiendo

Word origin

The word 'pretend' originated from the Latin word 'praetendere', which means 'to stretch out before'. In Middle English, 'pretend' meant 'to profess, claim'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the concept of feigning or acting falsely. The word has been used in English since the 14th century.