pretend Definition

pretend
verb pretended, pretending

tr & intr
1. To make believe; to act as if, or give the impression that, something is the case when it is not.

Example: Let's pretend we're dinosaurs
Example: pretend to be asleep
Thesaurus: make believe, simulate, act, fake, feign, impersonate, allege, dissimulate, sham, pass oneself off, counterfeit, go through the motions, suppose.
tr & intr
2. To imply or claim falsely.

Example: pretended not to know
3. To claim to feel something; to profess something falsely.

Example: pretend friendship towards someone

adj

1. colloq
Especially used by or to children: imaginary.
Example: a pretend cave

Etymology: 15c: from Latin praetendere to stretch forth.

Phrasal Verb: pretend to something

To claim to have (a skill, etc), especially falsely.To lay claim, especially doubtful claim, to (eg the throne).