pretence
gb/pɹˈɛtəns/ us/pɹˈɛtəns/
B2
English
~ 6000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
behaviour that hides the truth
Something you say or do to make people believe a feeling, situation, or quality is real when it is not.
Usage pattern:
to make a pretence of [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse the noun "pretence" with the verb "pretend". "Pretend" is the action (e.g. "They pretend to be happy"), while "pretence" is the thing or behaviour itself (e.g. "Their happiness is just a pretence"). Another common issue is spelling: British English usually uses "pretence", while American English uses "pretense".
Synonyms
fake (More informal and general; often used for objects as well as behaviour.)
|
show (Stresses the outward display rather than the hidden truth.)
|
act (Colloquial; suggests playing a part rather than being sincere.)
Antonyms
sincerity (Emphasises genuine feelings or behaviour with nothing hidden.)
|
honesty (Focuses on telling the truth instead of giving a false impression.)
Collocations
make a pretence of
|keep up the pretence
|drop the pretence
|without pretence
|a thin pretence
|just a pretence
Themes
communication
|emotions
|social
|ethics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She made no pretence of liking her boss and answered him very coldly.
- His concern for the workers was just a pretence to gain their support.
- They finally dropped the pretence of friendship and admitted they were rivals.
- Under a cheerful pretence, he hid how worried he really was.
- The film has no pretence of being realistic; it is pure fantasy.
Learner examples
- He made a pretence of being happy, but he was sad.
- Her smile was only a pretence for the camera.
- They could not keep up the pretence any longer.
- There was no pretence of love in that marriage.
- Under the pretence of calm, she was very nervous.
Noun
C1
entity
2
untrue claim to quality or status
When a person, place, or thing says or seems to be more important, skilled, or special than it really is.
Usage pattern:
without any pretence to [quality or status]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "pretence" in this meaning with "talent" or "skill". "Pretence" here is a false claim about talent or status, not the real ability. For example, "no pretence to knowledge" means the person does NOT claim to have knowledge.
Synonyms
pretension (Very close in meaning; often suggests snobbish or showy claims to importance.)
|
affectation (Highlights an unnatural way of speaking or behaving to impress others.)
|
claim (More general; does not itself suggest the claim is false unless the context makes this clear.)
Antonyms
modesty (Describes not claiming more importance or ability than you really have.)
|
authenticity (Stresses being genuinely what you appear or claim to be.)
Collocations
without pretence
|without any pretence to
|with no pretence to
|intellectual pretence
|artistic pretence
|literary pretence
Themes
social
|character
|culture
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- It is a simple family restaurant with no pretence to fine dining.
- The book makes no pretence of being serious history.
- Despite its grand name, the hotel has little pretence to luxury.
- He spoke without intellectual pretence, using clear and simple language.
- The festival has grown into an international event, but still without much pretence or glamour.
Learner examples
- The small café has no pretence of being a top restaurant.
- She writes stories without any pretence to great art.
- He talks about films with a lot of intellectual pretence.
- It is a friendly bar, with no pretence at style.
- The town has no pretence to being a big city.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
3
false reason or excuse
A reason you give that is not the real reason, to hide why you truly do something.
Usage pattern:
on the pretence that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use only "excuse" and do not realise that "pretence" (and "pretext") suggests the excuse is not only weak but also dishonest, hiding a different real goal.
Synonyms
pretext (Very close in meaning; common in formal English for a false reason hiding the real one.)
|
excuse (More general; may be true or false, but often used to avoid blame.)
Antonyms
real reason (Directly contrasts with a false reason that hides the truth.)
|
legitimate reason (Stresses a true and acceptable reason, not a deceptive one.)
Collocations
under false pretences
|on the pretence that
|under the pretence of
|a mere pretence
|a thin pretence
|use the pretence of
Themes
law
|politics
|ethics
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He visited her on the pretence that he needed legal advice.
- They entered the building under the pretence of being repair workers.
- The government used the pretence of national security to limit press freedom.
- She called on the flimsy pretence of returning a book.
- The charity event was a mere pretence for collecting political donations.
Learner examples
- He went to her house on the pretence that he forgot his bag.
- They got his password under false pretences.
- She used the pretence of helping to see what was in the room.
- The company cut jobs on the pretence that sales were low.
- He made a pretence of needing money so she would lend it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pretence
IPA
GB/pɹˈɛtəns/
US/pɹˈɛtəns/
Syllables & stress
pre - tence (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pre)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pretence
- Plural: pretence, pretences
Word family
Forms
pretences
noun
Core family
pretend
verb A2
pretentious
adjective
Related words
pretension
noun
pretender
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unpretentious
adjective
Advanced or less common
pretentiously
adverb
pretentiousness
noun
Expressions
drop the pretence
1/dɹˈɑp ðə pɹˈɛtəns/
fixed phrase
stop pretending about something
To stop acting or talking in a false way, and show your real feelings or situation.
Examples
- She finally dropped the pretence and admitted she needed help.
- Once the guests left, they dropped the pretence of politeness.
keep up the pretence
1/kˈip ˈʌp ðə pɹˈɛtəns/
fixed phrase
continue to pretend about something
To continue acting as if something is true when it is not, so that other people do not know the truth.
Examples
- They kept up the pretence of a happy marriage for the sake of the children.
- She was too tired to keep up the pretence any longer.
maintain the pretence
1/meɪntˈeɪn ðə pɹˈɛtəns/
fixed phrase
formal
deliberately go on pretending
To continue a lie or false story on purpose, so that people still believe it.
Examples
- For years the company maintained the pretence that its products were environmentally friendly.
- He could no longer maintain the pretence of neutrality.
make a pretence of
1/mˈeɪk ə pɹˈɛtəns əv/
fixed phrase
act as if doing something sincerely
To act or look as if you are doing something or feel something, when this is not really true.
Examples
- He made a pretence of listening, but his mind was elsewhere.
- They made no pretence of being interested in the discussion.
on the pretence that
1/ˈɔn ðə pɹˈɛtəns ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
formal
do something with a false explanation
To do something and give a reason that is not true, usually followed by a full sentence starting with "that".
Examples
- He called her on the pretence that he needed help with his homework.
- They increased security on the pretence that there was a serious threat.
under false pretences
1/ˈʌndɚ fˈɔls pɹˈɛtənsɪz/
fixed phrase
get something by lying about yourself or your purpose
To get something, or make someone do something, by lying about who you are or why you are doing it.
Examples
- He obtained her bank details under false pretences.
- The journalist entered the meeting under false pretences, pretending to be an assistant.
under the pretence of
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə pɹˈɛtəns əv/
fixed phrase
formal
do something claiming a false reason
To do something while saying it is for one reason, when the real reason is different and hidden.
Examples
- They searched the house under the pretence of looking for drugs.
- The troops entered the region under the pretence of providing humanitarian aid.
with no pretence to
1/wˈɪθ nˈoʊ pɹˈɛtəns tə/
fixed phrase
formal
openly not claiming a quality
Used to say clearly that something does not try to be or claim a certain special thing.
Examples
- It is a travel diary, with no pretence to scholarship.
- The article is a personal view, with no pretence to objectivity.
without any pretence to
1/wɪðˈaʊt ˈɛni pɹˈɛtəns tə/
fixed phrase
formal
not claiming a certain quality
Not trying to say that you, or something, has a certain special quality or level.
Examples
- It is a light introduction, without any pretence to be a full history.
- The show is simple entertainment, without any pretence to serious art.
without pretence
1/wɪðˈaʊt pɹˈɛtəns/
fixed phrase
simple and honest, not showy
In a simple, honest way, not trying to look more important or special than you are.
Examples
- It is a friendly, family-run hotel, comfortable and without pretence.
- Her cooking is without pretence, but always tasty.