What does pretended mean?
“Pretended” is most commonly the past tense and past participle of “pretend.” It describes someone who behaves as though a feeling, situation, or fact were real despite knowing otherwise, as in “she pretended to understand.” It can also mean that a quality or action was put on for effect: a pretended smile, pretended calm, or pretended innocence may be calculated to influence how others react. The word can carry a critical implication because the deception is usually deliberate and intended to deceive. Less commonly, especially in older or literary English, “pretended” functions as an adjective meaning feigned or made to appear genuine. It should not be used to describe an emotion or experience that is genuinely felt, nor a statement that has been openly disclosed. Understanding both its verbal and adjectival uses helps distinguish an act of deception from a merely uncertain or mistaken claim.
To behave as though something were true when it was not, especially in order to deceive someone.
"The child pretended to be asleep when his parents entered the room."
Usually implies deliberate deception, though it can also describe a temporary performance adopted in play or social interaction.
Feigned or made to appear genuine rather than actually genuine.
"His pretended enthusiasm convinced no one at the meeting."
This use is less frequent than the verbal form and often has a literary or archaic tone.
Something pretended can be convincing enough to look genuine—until closer inspection reveals the performance behind it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pretended come from?
The word comes through Middle English from the past form of “pretend,” which was borrowed from Anglo-Norman French and ultimately from Latin praetendere, meaning “to stretch forth” or “to assert.” The Latin verb combined prae-, meaning “before” or “forward,” with tendere, “to stretch.” Its modern sense of making a false claim developed from the older idea of laying claim or asserting something without justification.
How pretended is actually used
The verb form is common in standard British and American English. As an adjective, it is less frequent and often sounds literary, archaic, or deliberately formal, especially in phrases such as “pretended innocence.”
Easily confused with pretended
“Pretended” is the past tense and past participle of “pretend,” while “pretend” is the base form used in the present tense and infinitive.