pretend
gb/pɹitˈɛnd/ us/pɹitˈɛnd/
A1
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Act as if something is true
To act like something is real when it is not.
Usage pattern:
to pretend [that] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pretend' with 'intend'. 'Pretend' means to act as if something is true, while 'intend' means to plan to do something.
Synonyms
fake (Often stronger and can imply deliberate dishonesty, not just play-acting.)
|
feign (More formal; often used for pretending feelings or conditions.)
Antonyms
admit (To openly say the truth instead of acting like something else is true.)
Collocations
pretend to be
|pretend that
|pretend not to
|just pretend
|pretend for fun
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She pretended to be asleep when her parents came in.
- He pretended that he knew the answer.
- They pretended not to hear the question.
- I pretended I was a superhero when I was a kid.
- Don't pretend you don't know what's going on.
Learner examples
- I pretended to be a cat.
- He pretended he was sick.
- She pretended to read a book.
- We pretended we were on a boat.
Verb
A1
action
2
Play imaginary games
To play a game where you imagine you are someone or something else.
Usage pattern:
to pretend to be [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'pretend' in this sense in serious contexts where it sounds childish or playful unintentionally.
Synonyms
make-believe (Often used for children's imaginative play.)
Antonyms
be serious (To act in a way that is real and not playful or imagined.)
Collocations
pretend play
|pretend game
|pretend to be a princess
|pretend adventure
Themes
daily life
|children
|games
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The children pretended to be pirates on a ship.
- Let’s pretend we’re exploring space.
- She pretended to be a famous singer during the party.
Learner examples
- We pretended to be animals.
- He pretended to be a king.
- She pretended to fly like a bird.
Verb
formal
C1
action
3
Claim without proof or right
To say you have something, like a right, when you do not really have it.
Usage pattern:
to pretend to [something]
Synonyms
profess (Formal; can imply claiming something as true or genuine.)
Antonyms
disclaim (To deny having any right or connection.)
Collocations
pretend to authority
|pretend to knowledge
Themes
law
|argument
|communication
Examples
- He pretends to great knowledge of art, but he knows very little.
- Several groups pretended to the throne during the crisis.
- She pretends to authority she does not have.
Learner examples
- He pretends to know everything about history.
- They pretend to have power they do not have.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pretend
IPA
GB/pɹitˈɛnd/
US/pɹitˈɛnd/
Syllables & stress
pre - tend (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tend)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: pretend
- 3rd Person Singular: pretends
- Present Participle: pretending
- Past: pretended
Word family
Forms
pretends
verb
pretending
verb
pretended
verb
Core family
pretense
noun
Related words
pretender
noun
pretentious
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unpretentious
adjective
Advanced or less common
pretension
noun
pretentiously
adverb
Expressions
let's pretend
1/lˈɛts pɹitˈɛnd/
fixed phrase
Invite someone to imagine together
Used when you ask someone to imagine something with you for fun or an example.
Examples
- Let's pretend we're on a treasure hunt.
- Let's pretend we live on the moon.
only pretending
1/ˈoʊnli pɹitˈɛndɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Not serious, just acting
When someone is acting but not really meaning it.
Examples
- Don't worry, she was only pretending to be angry.
- He said he was hurt, but he was only pretending.
pretend play
1/pɹitˈɛnd plˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
Imaginative play by acting roles
A game where children act like they are other people or things.
Examples
- Pretend play helps children develop social skills.
- The kids were engaged in pretend play as doctors and patients.