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Pretending: meaning, definitions and examples

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pretending

 

[ prɪˈtɛndɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

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 | Verb

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

Etymology

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.

See also: pretend, pretended, pretender, pretenders, pretension, pretentious.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,358, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.