pretend1 verbpretend2 adjective
pretendpre‧tend1 /prɪˈtend/ ●●● S2 W3 verb 
WORD ORIGINpretend1
Origin:
1300-1400 Latin praetendere ‘to stretch out in front, make an excuse’, from tendere ‘to stretch’VERB TABLE
pretend
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | pretend |
| he, she, it | pretends | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | pretended |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have pretended |
| he, she, it | has pretended | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had pretended |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will pretend |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have pretended |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am pretending |
| he, she, it | is pretending | |
| you, we, they | are pretending | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was pretending |
| you, we, they | were pretending | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been pretending |
| he, she, it | has been pretending | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been pretending |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be pretending |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been pretending |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Bill closed his eyes, and pretended that the war was over and that he was safe at home.
- He burst into the room with a toy gun in his hand, pretending to be a gangster.
- I pretended not to see her, and carried on walking down the street.
- I don't think he's asleep - I think he's just pretending.
- I like to drive around in my brother's BMW and pretend I'm a rich businessman.
- She pretended to be ill and took a day off work
- They got into the house by pretending they worked for the electricity company.
- We pretended to be students and got into the club for free.
- We thought that he was really hurt, but he was just pretending.
- All his waking life he pretended not to hear other voices.
- And they had not come, or they had sat across from him and pretended that every-thing was fine.
- But she was not the same as them, she could not pretend to be.
- I am so relieved to not be pretending anymore.
- Jill is on my lap, pretending to be a baby.
- Then the researchers just pretended to increase the lighting.
- We were nervous and pretended not to be, and seeing her rig made us look at each other, nodding.
THESAURUS
to deliberately behave as though something is true when it is not, either for fun or to deceive someone: · Mark closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.· She shouted but he pretended that he hadn’t heard her.
to behave in a particular way – often used when saying that someone is pretending that something is true, when it is not: · Paul acted as if nothing was wrong.· She always acts like she’s pleased to see me, but I’m sure she’s not.· He enjoyed acting the fool (=pretending to be stupid) and couldn’t care less about his studies.· The boy acted all innocent and said that he knew nothing about the money.· I tried to act the good housewife when I got married.
informal to pretend that something is true, in order to avoid doing something or to deceive someone: · I didn’t want to go, so I made out I was busy.· She always makes out that she doesn’t have any money.
informal to be pretending to be ill, hurt etc, especially in order to avoid doing something, or to make other people feel sympathy for you: · She’s not really upset, she’s just putting it on.
formal to pretend that you are interested, surprised etc: · ‘Oh really!’ he said, trying to feign interest.· Sometimes it’s best just to feign ignorance (=pretend that you do not know).
to pretend that your life is happy and successful, especially when you have suffered some kind of trouble or loss: · Although we were poor, our family always tried to keep up appearances.· She did her best to keep up appearances after her husband left her.
to pretend to be someone or something to copy the way that a famous person speaks and behaves, in order to entertain people, or to pretend to have an official job, in order to trick people: · He’s brilliant at impersonating the president.· It’s illegal to impersonate a police officer.
to pretend to be someone else, especially someone in an official position, so that it is easier for you to do something bad or illegal: · He posed as a doctor to gain access to the hospital.· There have been cases of thieves posing as telephone engineers.
disapproving to pretend to be someone or something else – used especially when saying that someone or something is not who they claim to be: · Their advertisements are always full of people in white coats masquerading as scientists.· It’s not real news – it’s government propaganda masquerading as news.
Longman Language Activatorto pretend that something is true to behave as though something is true when you know that it is not: · We thought that he was really hurt, but he was just pretending.pretend (that): · Bill closed his eyes, and pretended that the war was over and that he was safe at home.pretend to do something: · I pretended not to see her, and carried on walking down the street.pretend to be happy/ill/angry etc: · She pretended to be ill and took a day off work.
informal to pretend that a situation exists in order to deceive someone: make out (that): · We managed to fool the ticket collector by making out we couldn't speak English.· Two days later Joyce phoned to ask about the check, so I had to make out I'd already mailed it.make something out to be: · They made it out to be a really interesting job, but in fact it was ridiculously boring.
spoken to pretend to be ill, upset, injured etc, because you want to avoid doing something or you want people to feel sorry for you: · I don't think she's really ill - she's just putting it on because she doesn't want to go to school.· I couldn't tell if Harvey was putting it on, or if he really was upset.
informal to pretend to be interested, ill etc, when you are not: · The kid is always saying he's too sick to go to school, and his parents figure he's faking it.· I look at all the faces around me. Are these people really that happy? Or are they just faking it like I am?
to pretend all the time that you feel or believe something that you do not feel or believe: · I had to leave him - I couldn't go on living a lie.
to pretend that everything in your life is still as happy and successful as it used to be, even though you have suffered some kind of trouble or loss: · Of course, he tries to keep up appearances, but he lives entirely off borrowed money.· She put Christmas decorations in the window just to keep up appearances.
to pretend to be someone else to behave as if you are someone else and try to make other people believe this: pretend to be somebody: · We pretended to be students and got into the club for free.pretend (that): · They got into the house by pretending they worked for the electricity company.
to pretend that you are cleverer, richer, more important etc than you really are: · Richard led us around the art gallery, making himself out to be some kind of expert on modern art.· What I don't like about her is that she makes herself out to be something special.
to behave as though you are someone with official power or someone famous, either for dishonest reasons or in order to entertain people: · I got home to find him impersonating Elvis Presley in front of the mirror.· It's illegal to impersonate a police officer.
to speak, walk, or behave like someone else, in order to make people laugh: do an impersonation/do an impression of: · Stuart did a brilliant impersonation of the boss.· a comedian with his own TV show, who does impressions of famous politicians
when you pretend to be someone else and behave as they would behave, especially as a way of learning about a situation or developing a skill: · The course uses role play to teach you how to deal with difficult or aggressive customers.
to pretend to be someone else, especially someone in an official position, in order to make it easier for you to do something bad or illegal: · He posed as a doctor to gain access to the hospital.· There have been cases of thieves posing as telephone engineers to trick people into letting them into their homes.
to pretend that you are someone else, especially by dressing or behaving in the way that they do - used especially in literature and stories: · He got into the stadium masquerading as a security guard.· A journalist masquerading as a businessman approached the politicians, and offered them bribes.
to change your appearance, especially your clothes, so that you look like someone else and people cannot recognize you: · He escaped across the border disguised as a priest.disguise yourself as: · Maybe you could disguise yourself as a waiter and sneak in there.
someone who pretends to be someone else someone who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive people and gain something such as money or power: · It was not the real Dr Frazer but an impostor.· The man registered at a Las Vegas hotel as Dustin Hoffman, and it wasn't until he left without paying his bill that people realized he was an impostor.
someone who pretends to have special skills or knowledge, for example as a doctor or teacher, when in fact they do not: · No. She isn't a miracle worker. She isn't even a doctor. She's a complete charlatan.· Some people said that he was one of the greatest philosophers who ever lived; others claimed he was a charlatan.
pretending to have a particular job or position that you do not have, in order to do something dishonest or illegal: · The government has announced tough new measures to deal with bogus asylum-seekers.bogus official/social worker/policeman etc: · The child was taken away from her parents by a bogus social worker.· There has been a spate of incidents where bogus officials have called on the homes of elderly people.
to pretend something as a game to pretend something as a game, or because you enjoy it: pretend (that): · I like to drive around in my brother's BMW and pretend I'm a rich businessman.pretend to be: · He burst into the room with a toy gun in his hand, pretending to be a gangster.
to pretend that pleasant things are happening, that you are someone or somewhere you want to be, etc: make believe (that): · The two little girls used to make believe that they were princesses.make believe: · Right, kids. We don't have any proper cowboy hats so you'll have to make believe.
also play at British if children play or play at something, they pretend to be a particular type of person or to do a particular thing, as a game: · When I was young we played at pirates whenever we were on the beach.· When my sister was little, she always wanted to play school.play doctors and nurses: · Did you ever play doctors and nurses when you were small?play happy familiesBritish /play house American (=pretend to be a family): · Come on - let's go inside and play house!
pretending to be friendly, sincere etc someone who is insincere says things that they do not really mean, for example when they praise you or say something friendly: · 'It's so good to see you again,' she said, with an insincere smile.· an insincere compliment· He always praised everyone, so it was difficult to tell if he was being insincere or not.
pretending to be morally good or to have beliefs that you do not really have: · I think it's a little hypocritical to get married in a church when you don't believe in God.· Politicians are so hypocritical - they preach about 'family values' while they all seem to be having affairs.
especially American, informal someone who pretends to be good, clever, kind etc when really they are not: · When I realized what a phoney he was I was devastated.· I can't stand her -- she's such a phoney.
pretending that you like someone by behaving in a friendly way towards them when you are with them, but behaving in an unkind way when they are not there: · I've never met anyone so two-faced: she's sweet and charming to your face, and then goes and complains about you to the boss!
false emotions are not real and the person is only pretending to feel them: · "Merry Christmas," she said with false heartiness.· Her face took on a look of false delight.
: mock surprise/horror/indignation etc surprise etc that you pretend to feel, especially as a joke: · Diana gave her cousin a look of mock horror and then disappeared through the door, smiling.in mock surprise/horror etc (=showing mock surprise, horror etc): · The grey eyes widened in mock surprise. "How unusual to meet you here," she said sarcastically.· "It's not fair," he complained, pulling at his hair in mock distress. "I really wanted to visit your parents!"
to change your way of speaking or behaving in order to impress people to speak or behave in a way that is not your usual way of speaking or behaving.: be putting it on: · He wasn't really drunk. He was just putting it on.put on something: · Whenever the boss is around she puts on this sick little smile.put on an accent: · Valerie put on a posh accent and asked to see the manager immediately.
someone who is affected is not natural or sincere because they are trying to make people think they are better than they really are: · I can't bear him -- he's so loud and affected.· That stupid affected laugh of hers really annoys me.· She treated her guests with an affected politeness.
formal to behave or speak in a way in which you do not usually behave or speak, especially so that you look more confident or feel better: · When socializing with his co-workers he would assume a hearty, over-bearing manner.· Assuming a carefree air, Luke picked up his jacket and walked to the door.
a person or their behaviour that is artificial is not natural or sincere, because they are pretending to be something that they are not: · Carter was saying all the right things, but his smile was artificial, and I knew I couldn't trust him.· On the surface she seems quite a pleasant woman, but there's something very artificial about her.
an attempt to pretend that something is true British /pretense American an attempt to pretend that something is true, especially in order to deceive people: pretence of: · After my mother left, my father gave up even the pretense of caring for anyone besides himself.pretence that: · The worst thing about liberal academics is the pretence that they are somehow more open-minded than their opponents.on the pretence that/of (=pretending that it is the reason for what you are doing): · Wilson asked Carly out to dinner, on the pretence that he wanted to talk to her about business.· The first time she had called was on the pretense of finding out how Letia was. make a pretence of doing something (=pretend to do it): · Mr Tellwright made no pretence of concealing his satisfaction.keep up the pretence (=continue pretending): · After two weeks he could keep up the pretence no longer and decided to tell her the truth.
a situation in which people pretend that something is true and behave as if it were true, especially when everyone really knows that it is not true: · The trial was just a charade -- the verdict had already been decided.· Simon told Susan that his marriage was a charade, continued only for the sake of the children.
an attempt to deceive people by pretending that something is true, especially if it is easy for people to see that it is not true: · She believed Rodney's sudden change in attitude was only a sham.· The election was a sham. Officials intimidated peasants into voting for the government candidates, or simply stuffed the ballot boxes.
an organization or activity that seems to be legal and ordinary but which is secretly being used for an illegal purpose: · The club was just a front - Luchese's real business was drug smuggling and gun running. front for: · The charity has been accused of being a front for anti-government activity.
to rudely pretend not to notice someone · Don't ignore me when I'm talking to you!· Now that she had lost all her wealth, she was ignored by former friends.totally/completely ignore somebody · The waiter totally ignored Glen and served a girl who had come up beside him.
· Henry waved but Martha pretended not to notice.· If people think you're a beggar, they pretend not to see you.
to pretend not to notice someone that you know, even though you are looking directly at them: · I saw Carrie yesterday, but when I smiled at her she just looked right through me.· In the lift at work, the doctors looked right through you as if you didn't exist.
to ignore someone deliberately, in order to show that you are angry with them or that you have no respect for them: · I couldn't believe Simon had snubbed me at the party.· The senator was furious. "How would you feel if you'd been snubbed by the wife of your president?''snub somebody's invitation/request etc: · They snubbed his invitation to a meeting of foreign ministers at the UN in New York.
to completely ignore someone when you see them, especially because you are angry with them: · I saw Josie today - she must still be angry with me because she cut me dead.· Where he used to cut them dead, he now helps them on with their coats.
informal if someone blanks you, they pretend not to notice you even though your eyes are facing theirs: · I said hello to her in the street, but she just blanked me and carried on walking.
British if a group of people send someone to Coventry , they all agree they will not talk to that person as a punishment: · Unfairly sent to Coventry for two weeks, Hannah decided to run away from school.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
To pretend ignorance of the situation would be irresponsible. I can’t marry her and to pretend otherwise would be wrong.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
1[intransitive, transitive] to behave as if something is true when in fact you know it is not, in order to deceive people or for funpretend (that) To pretend ignorance of the situation would be irresponsible. I can’t marry her and to pretend otherwise would be wrong.· Some will even pretend to ignore it.· I head east from Anamosa, feeling too shitty to even pretend otherwise.· This does not in fact happen, but in other kinds of social system people do not even pretend that it happens.· But he had grown to understand that none of them could even pretend to these things.· I couldn't even pretend that I wanted them!· No messing about, not even pretend messing.
· Mamet has never pretended to be a long-haul writer and sees time the way the early Elizabethans did, as a destroyer.· It was a long speech, too, by a politician who never pretended that speech-making was one of his top assets.· He would never pretend she was his niece!· I never pretended to love her.· My films never pretend to be anything but artefacts - they're unnatural, contrived, fashioned, unrealistic, on purpose.· Rune had never pretended an emotional attachment to her - in fact quite the opposite!
· She knew he was only pretending for the benefit of their audience.· The old woman had only pretended to be so kind; she was in reality a wicked witch.· Besides, she had only pretended to take an overdose.· I will tell you: because they only pretend to hate tyranny.· She only pretends, to please you.· The Pep Squad only pretends to be-and woe to any member who might dare to suggest otherwise.· The Bride only pretends to be excited.· Celestine only pretended to be asleep.
· Eleanor was wrong to try and pretend otherwise.· It makes people feel better to pretend otherwise.· The introduction of council tax is going to hurt an awful lot of people and there is no point in pretending otherwise.· Nevertheless they were two real victories, and it is childish of Bush's opponents to pretend otherwise.· Though she'd never been much of a nurse and it was hypocritical to pretend otherwise.· Though he found it convenient to pretend otherwise, the man was no hick care-taker.· But if you are well known, it seems foolish to pretend otherwise.· I knew at once that something was different, why pretend otherwise?
VERB· I can't let her carry on pretending I ain't in the room.· She even let me pretend it was lettuce-flavoured so that Radish could wade through this wonderland and get her paws all sticky.· However, let us not pretend that there can not be a choice.
· Jagatan liked to pretend that his faculties were failing.· But I like to pretend otherwise.· Finding room for the extra athletes may not be as simple as the organising committee would like to pretend.· They liked to pretend it was hard work and persistence.· He liked to pretend that life was simple.· But most of us are frightened by our emotions so we like to pretend that rationality Is normal.
· And will you please stop pretending you care about me?· Rule two, stop pretending you got engaged to my kid brother for anything but his money.· The first radical lesson is to stop pretending: you are accepted!
· Meanwhile, the federalists try to pretend that this is not happening, or that it will not matter.· For a time he tried to pretend, as chil-dren do with their toys.· The suit removed him from what they were all trying to pretend was a normal breakfast.· Eleanor was wrong to try and pretend otherwise.· She tried to pretend she didn't know what he meant, but his bantering tone had been deceptive.· He tried to pretend that the whole episode hadn't happened.· You have accepted a compliment gracefully, without trying to pretend you don't deserve it.· But they have paid a high psychological price, coping with the North by trying to pretend thatit does not exist.
We can’t go on pretending that everything is OK. Let’s pretend we’re on the Moon.pretend to do something She pretended not to notice. He’s not asleep – he’s just pretending. To pretend ignorance of the situation would be irresponsible. I can’t marry her and to pretend otherwise would be wrong.2[transitive usually in negatives] to claim that something is true, when it is notpretend (that) I can’t pretend I understand these technical terms (=I admit I do not understand them).pretend to do/be something The book doesn’t pretend to be for beginners.THESAURUSpretend /prɪˈtend/ to deliberately behave as though something is true when it is not, either for fun or to deceive someone: · Mark closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.· She shouted but he pretended that he hadn’t heard her.act to behave in a particular way – often used when saying that someone is pretending that something is true, when it is not: · Paul acted as if nothing was wrong.· She always acts like she’s pleased to see me, but I’m sure she’s not.· He enjoyed acting the fool (=pretending to be stupid) and couldn’t care less about his studies.· The boy acted all innocent and said that he knew nothing about the money.· I tried to act the good housewife when I got married.make out something informal to pretend that something is true, in order to avoid doing something or to deceive someone: · I didn’t want to go, so I made out I was busy.· She always makes out that she doesn’t have any money.be putting it on informal to be pretending to be ill, hurt etc, especially in order to avoid doing something, or to make other people feel sympathy for you: · She’s not really upset, she’s just putting it on.feign interest/surprise/ignorance/illness etc formal to pretend that you are interested, surprised etc: · ‘Oh really!’ he said, trying to feign interest.· Sometimes it’s best just to feign ignorance (=pretend that you do not know).keep up appearances to pretend that your life is happy and successful, especially when you have suffered some kind of trouble or loss: · Although we were poor, our family always tried to keep up appearances.· She did her best to keep up appearances after her husband left her.to pretend to be someone or somethingimpersonate to copy the way that a famous person speaks and behaves, in order to entertain people, or to pretend to have an official job, in order to trick people: · He’s brilliant at impersonating the president.· It’s illegal to impersonate a police officer.pose as somebody to pretend to be someone else, especially someone in an official position, so that it is easier for you to do something bad or illegal: · He posed as a doctor to gain access to the hospital.· There have been cases of thieves posing as telephone engineers.masquerade as somebody/something disapproving to pretend to be someone or something else – used especially when saying that someone or something is not who they claim to be: · Their advertisements are always full of people in white coats masquerading as scientists.· It’s not real news – it’s government propaganda masquerading as news.pretend1 verbpretend2 adjective
pretendpretend2 adjective imaginary or not real – used especially by children: We sang songs around a pretend campfire.