The meaning of PRETEND is to give a false appearance of being, possessing, or performing. How to use pretend in a sentence.

PRETEND definition: 1. to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not, especially in order to deceive…. Learn more.

To give a false appearance of; feign: "You had to pretend conformity while privately pursuing high and dangerous nonconformism" (Anthony Burgess). 2. To claim or allege insincerely or falsely: doesn't …

PRETEND definition: to cause or attempt to cause (what is not so) to seem so. See examples of pretend used in a sentence.

If children or adults pretend that they are doing something, they imagine that they are doing it, for example as part of a game. She can sunbathe and pretend she's in Spain. [VERB that] The children …

To pretend is to act as if you're someone else. If you pretend to be your mother for a phone conference with your math teacher, try putting on her high heels to help you get into character.

There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the word pretend, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

PRETEND meaning: 1 : to act as if something is true when it is not true; 2 : to imagine and act out (a particular role, situation, etc.)

3 days ago · pretend (uncountable) (childish, informal) The act of engaging in pretend play. We used to dress up in our grandparents' old clothes and play pretend.

Pretend definition: To give a false appearance of; feign.