What does pretending mean?
Pretending means acting as though something is true when it is not, usually because the speaker or actor wants to deceive others, avoid responsibility, or gain some advantage. The verb can describe consciously misleading behaviour, as in pretending to understand an explanation, but it also has a less negative use for make-believe play. For example, children pretend to be pirates or superheroes, and a person may pretend to be interested in conversation while thinking about something else. In many contexts, “pretend” implies an appearance created to hide the truth: “pretending to have lost the receipt” suggests a deliberate effort to avoid paying. It is a common, flexible word with neutral wording but often carries an implication of dishonesty or insincerity.
verbTo behave as though something is true when it is not, usually in order to deceive or gain an advantage. It can also mean to make a claim without a sincere intention of acting on it.
- To behave as though something is true when it is not, especially in order to deceive someone.
- To claim or suggest something without intending to make it true or to act accordingly.
- To engage in make-believe, as in a child's play or a fictional performance.
"He pretended to have forgotten the appointment so that he would not have to attend."
"The child pretended to be a pirate while playing on the beach."
"She pretended to consider the offer, although she had already decided to refuse it."
The word pretending comes from an old idea of stretching out or stretching a claim before another person: truth could be made to look plausible through performance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pretending come from?
The word comes ultimately from Old French pretendre, meaning “to claim” or “to lay claim to,” with the sense of stretching out a claim or presenting an appearance. English borrowed it in the late Middle English period, initially with meanings connected with claims, pretence, or attempted action. The modern form reflects a long development in which the verb acquired its familiar sense of making something false appear true. Related words include pretence, pretense, and pretender, all sharing the same historical root.
Related word forms
How pretending is actually used
Pretending is neutral in tone but usually suggests that the behaviour is knowingly false or insincere. It is common in both formal and informal English, and the expression “pretend to be” is especially frequent.
Easily confused with pretending
Pretending is the activity of making something appear true when it is not, whereas pretense is the deceptive behaviour or claim itself.