Explanation at your level:
To pretend means to play. You can pretend to be a cat or a dog. It is fun! You act like you are someone else. Do you like to pretend?
When you pretend, you act like something is true. For example, you might pretend to be a doctor when you play with friends. It is not real, but it is fun to imagine.
You use pretend when you want to show a behavior that is not real. People sometimes pretend to be happy even when they are sad. It is a very common word in daily conversations.
The word pretend often implies a slight level of deception. While it is used for games, it is also used to describe when someone hides their true feelings. It is a useful way to describe social dynamics.
In advanced English, pretend can denote a calculated effort to maintain a facade. It is frequently used in literary analysis to describe characters who hide their true motivations. It carries a nuance of artifice and performance.
At the C2 level, pretend touches upon the philosophical concept of the 'simulacrum.' It explores the boundary between reality and representation. Writers use it to critique societal expectations where individuals are forced to perform roles to fit in.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To act as if something is true.
- Used for play and deception.
- Commonly followed by 'to'.
- Comes from Latin 'to stretch'.
When you pretend, you are essentially creating a temporary reality that isn't actually there. Whether you are a child playing house or an adult trying to hide your nervousness, the core of the word is about simulation.
Think of it as putting on a mask. You are showing the world one version of yourself or a situation while knowing that the truth is something else entirely. It is a very versatile word used in everything from creative storytelling to social white lies.
The word pretend comes from the Latin word praetendere, which literally means 'to stretch in front.' It combines prae (before) and tendere (to stretch).
Historically, it was used to mean 'to hold something out as a shield' or 'to put forward as a claim.' Over centuries, the meaning shifted from physically holding something in front of you to figuratively putting forward a false appearance to cover your true intentions.
You will often hear people say 'let's pretend' when starting a game. In more serious contexts, you might hear someone 'pretend to be sick' to avoid work or 'pretend to understand' when they are actually confused.
It is a neutral word, meaning it can be used for innocent fun or for more serious, deceptive behavior. Always look at the context to see if the speaker is being playful or if they are accusing someone of being dishonest.
1. Pretend to be someone you are not: To hide your true personality. 2. Make believe: A synonym for pretend, often used with children. 3. Keep up appearances: To pretend everything is fine when it is not. 4. Play-act: To act out a scene. 5. Put on a front: To pretend to be stronger or happier than you feel.
The word is a regular verb. The past tense is pretended and the present participle is pretending. It is pronounced /prɪˈtɛnd/ in both British and American English.
It often takes an infinitive verb after it, such as 'I pretended to sleep.' It rhymes with words like amend, extend, and defend. The stress is always on the second syllable.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'tendon'!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'pre' and 'tend' with stress on the second syllable.
Similar to UK, slightly more emphasis on the 't' sound.
Common Errors
- stressing the first syllable
- dropping the 'd' at the end
- mispronouncing the 'e' as an 'a'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Infinitive after verbs
I pretend to eat.
That clauses
I pretend that I know.
Subject-verb agreement
He pretends.
Examples by Level
I pretend to be a bird.
I act like a bird
verb + infinitive
Let's pretend!
Let's play
imperative
He pretends to sleep.
He acts like he is sleeping
third person s
They pretend to eat.
They act like they are eating
plural verb
She pretends to be a queen.
She acts like a queen
verb + to be
Don't pretend!
Be real
negative imperative
We pretend for fun.
We play
prepositional phrase
I pretend to be happy.
I act happy
adjective complement
I pretend to be a teacher.
She pretends that she is busy.
We like to pretend in the garden.
Don't pretend you don't know.
He pretends he is a hero.
They pretend to like the food.
I pretend to be a ghost.
Can you pretend to be quiet?
She pretended not to hear me.
He pretends to be interested in sports.
They are just pretending to be friends.
I had to pretend I was sick.
Don't pretend that it's easy.
She pretends to have more money than she does.
He pretends to be an expert.
We pretended to be lost.
He pretended to be oblivious to the tension.
She pretended that nothing had happened.
They were merely pretending to negotiate.
I can't keep pretending forever.
He pretended to be shocked by the news.
She pretended to be asleep while I talked.
Don't pretend you didn't see the sign.
They pretended to agree to the terms.
He pretended an indifference he did not feel.
She pretended to be a patron of the arts.
They pretended to be unaware of the risks involved.
One cannot pretend to be something one is not.
He pretended to be a man of great wealth.
She pretended to be busy to avoid the conversation.
They pretended to be in agreement with the policy.
I pretended to be calm under pressure.
His life was a long series of pretending to be someone else.
She pretended a nonchalance that was clearly forced.
They pretended to be virtuous to gain favor.
The actor pretended to be a king with great skill.
One must not pretend to understand what is incomprehensible.
He pretended to be a scholar of ancient texts.
She pretended to be indifferent to the criticism.
They pretended to be allies until the very end.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"make believe"
to imagine
We make believe we are pirates.
casual"put on an act"
to behave falsely
Stop putting on an act.
casual"keep up the charade"
to continue a deception
He kept up the charade for years.
formal"play along"
to pretend to agree
Just play along with his story.
casual"act the part"
to behave like a specific role
She acted the part perfectly.
neutral"fake it till you make it"
pretend to be confident until you are
Just fake it till you make it.
casualEasily Confused
similar root
pretentious is an adjective
He is pretentious.
rhymes
intend means to plan
I intend to go.
rhymes
attend means to go to
I attend school.
rhymes
extend means to stretch
Extend your arm.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + pretend + to + verb
I pretend to sleep.
Subject + pretend + that + clause
He pretends that he is busy.
Subject + pretend + noun
She pretends ignorance.
Subject + pretend + to be + adjective
They pretend to be happy.
Subject + pretend + to be + noun
He pretends to be a king.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Pretend takes an infinitive, not an 'of' phrase.
Don't mix structures.
Pretend needs a verb complement.
Use 'pretend to' for actions.
Subject-verb agreement.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a stage in your house.
Native Speakers
Use it to describe games.
Cultural Insight
Children's play is vital.
Grammar Shortcut
Follow with 'to'.
Say It Right
Stress the second part.
Don't say 'pretend of'.
Use 'to'.
Did You Know?
It's from Latin.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Pre-tend: Pretend to be a 'pre-teen' again.
Visual Association
A child wearing a cardboard crown.
Word Web
Challenge
Pretend you are an alien for 5 minutes.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: to stretch in front
Cultural Context
Can be an accusation of dishonesty.
Used often in childhood development contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Childhood play
- Let's pretend
- Pretend to be
- Make believe
Social avoidance
- Pretend to be busy
- Pretend not to hear
- Pretend to be sick
Acting
- Pretend to be a character
- Act the part
- Simulate emotions
Deception
- Pretend ignorance
- Pretend innocence
- Keep up appearances
Conversation Starters
"Do you like to pretend?"
"When was the last time you pretended to be someone else?"
"Is it ever okay to pretend?"
"What games did you play as a child?"
"Do you think adults pretend too much?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you pretended to be something you weren't.
Describe a game of make-believe you remember.
Is pretending a good or bad thing?
How does pretending help us learn?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is used for play.
Use 'pretended'.
Yes, 'pretend illness'.
It is neutral.
Pretense.
It can, but not always.
Pre-tend.
Yes.
Test Yourself
I ___ to be a doctor.
First person singular.
What does 'pretend' mean?
It means to act as if something is true.
You can pretend to be a superhero.
It is a common use of the word.
Word
Meaning
Synonym matching.
Subject + verb + to + adjective.
Score: /5
Summary
Pretending is the bridge between our imagination and our reality.
- To act as if something is true.
- Used for play and deception.
- Commonly followed by 'to'.
- Comes from Latin 'to stretch'.
Memory Palace
Imagine a stage in your house.
Native Speakers
Use it to describe games.
Cultural Insight
Children's play is vital.
Grammar Shortcut
Follow with 'to'.
Example
The children like to pretendtion they are brave knights guarding a mystical castle.
Related Content
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perceive
C1To become aware of something through the senses, particularly sight or hearing, or to interpret and understand a situation in a specific way. It often involves recognizing a subtle quality or identifying a deeper meaning beyond surface-level observation.
offer
A1To present something to someone so that they can choose to accept it or refuse it. It can involve giving a physical object, providing help, or suggesting a price or idea.
malducsion
C1The act of intentionally leading someone toward a wrong conclusion or guiding them into a harmful situation through subtle manipulation. It refers specifically to intellectual or moral misguidance, often used in formal or philosophical discourse to describe a deceptive path.
colucment
C1To illuminate several aspects of a complex subject or problem simultaneously in order to clarify the whole. This verb describes the act of bringing disparate ideas together into a clear, bright perspective for easier understanding.
aah
A1An interjection used to express relief, satisfaction, or pleasure, often in response to something pleasant or comforting. It can also be used to express pain or surprise, though this is less common and often indicated by tone.
credible
B2Describes something that is believable or worthy of trust based on evidence or logic. It is frequently used to evaluate the reliability of information sources, witnesses, or explanations.
however
B1Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously. It can also indicate 'in whatever way' or 'to whatever extent'.
overclaror
C1To explain a concept or situation with excessive detail or redundancy, often to the point of causing confusion or appearing patronizing. It describes the act of providing more clarity than is necessary for the audience's understanding.
realize
A1To become fully aware of something as a fact or to understand a situation clearly. It also refers to the act of making a hope, fear, or ambition happen in reality.
articulate
C1To express thoughts, feelings, or ideas clearly and effectively in speech or writing. It involves the ability to put complex concepts into coherent words so that others can understand them easily.
