Etymology From Anglo-Norman pretendre, Middle French pretendre (French prétendre (“to claim, demand”)), from Latin praetendere (“to put forward, hold out, pretend”), from prae- (“pre-”) + tendō (“stretch”); see tend.
With 'that' clause 'to' infinitive To speak or behave so as to give a false or simulated appearance.
You don't have to pretend that the soup tastes fine.
You don't have to pretend to like the soup.
4 more examples
If you don't like it, say so. You don't have to pretend.
To get into the club, he pretended to be over 18.
"After what past at Upton, so soon to engage in a new amour with another woman, while I fancied, and you pretended, your heart was bleeding for me!"1749, Henry Fielding, chapter 23, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book XVIII:
It's rather like a beautiful Inverness cloak one has inherited. Much too good to hide away, so one wears it instead of an overcoat and pretends it's an amusing new fashion.1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 5, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
2
With 'that' clause 'to' infinitive To engage in make-believe.
She moved her fingers across the desk, pretending to play the piano.
She didn't have a real piano to play, so she just pretended.
3 more examples
"The truth is, Ma'am," said Mrs. Grant, pretending to whisper across the table to Mrs. Norris, "that Dr. Grant hardly knows what the natural taste of our apricot is;[…]."1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter VI, in Mansfield Park: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, pages 111–112:
I put on shorts, made a hat and feather and got beer mugs. Bridget put a long skirt on and a skarf ^([sic]) and we square danced and pretended singing in German. Great fun!1965 January 3, Lou Sullivan, Diary:
Luster claimed that the women had consented to sex and were only pretending to be asleep.2003 January 23, Duncan Campbell, The Guardian, London:
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With 'that' clause 'to' infinitive To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).
She's pretending illness to get out of the business meeting.
He pretended an air of indifference that he'd never assumed before.
3 more examples
This let him know, / Lest, wilfully transgressing, he pretend / Surprisal.1667, John Milton, “Book V”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
Dropping one's anger and pretending indifference does not make one objective, only acceptable.1980 February 9, Charley Shively, “Radical History: Not Radical Enough”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 28, page 12:
Gap and other clothes manufacturers should stop using small subcontractors because they are difficult to control. Instead, they should open up their own fully-owned production facilities so that they cannot pretend ignorance when abuses are committed.2007 October 29, The Guardian, London:
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Formal, With 'to' To lay claim (to an ability, status, advantage, etc.).
The family's exile was intended to stop them pretending to the throne.
Chiefs shall be grudged the part which they pretend.1682, John Dryden, The Medal:
1 more example
People observed the diversity of schools and the acerbity of their disputes, and decided that all alike were pretending to knowledge which was in fact unattainable.1946, Bertrand Russell, History of Western Philosophy, I.25:
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Obsolete To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden.
Lest that too heavenly form, pretended / To hellish falsehood, snare them.1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
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Obsolete To intend; to design, to plot; to attempt.
Such as shall pretend / Malicious practices against his state.1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Sixt”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
Pastorella […] Was by the Captaine all this while defended, / Who, minding more her safety then himselfe, / His target alwayes over her pretended[…].1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book VI, Canto XI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
But had thoſe vvits the vvonders of their dayes, / Or that ſvveete Teian Poet [Anacreon] vvhich did ſpend / His plenteous vaine in ſetting forth her [Venus's] prayſe, / Seene but a glims of this, vvhich I pretend, / Hovv vvondrouſly vvould he her face commend, […]1596, Edm[und] Spenser, “An Hymne of Heavenly Beautie”, in Fowre Hymnes, London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, page 43:
Etymology From Anglo-Norman pretendre, Middle French pretendre (French prétendre (“to claim, demand”)), from Latin praetendere (“to put forward, hold out, pretend”), from prae- (“pre-”) + tendō (“stretch”); see tend.
1
Not really what it is represented as being; imaginary, feigned.
As children we used to go on "spying" missions around the neighbour's house, but it was all pretend.
pretend
noun
Etymology From Anglo-Norman pretendre, Middle French pretendre (French prétendre (“to claim, demand”)), from Latin praetendere (“to put forward, hold out, pretend”), from prae- (“pre-”) + tendō (“stretch”); see tend.