What does pretend mean in English?

You can learn pretend Pronunciation, Grammar & Synonyms in this most authoritative English Dictionary.

pretend Meaning, Definition, Pronunciation, Grammar & Synonyms❤️

0 to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not, especially in order to deceive people or as a game:
- [ + (that) ] He pretended (that) he didn't mind, but I knew that he did.
- The children pretended (that) they were dinosaurs.
- [ + to infinitive ] Were you just pretending to be interested?
- She's not really hurt - she's only pretending.
- Of course I was angry - I can't pretend otherwise.
- I don't pretend to be an expert on the subject.
1 imaginary or not real:
- "Do you want a cup of tea?" she asks, offering me a pretend cup.
- They knew the argument was only pretend, but they still got upset.
2 to behave as if something is true when you know that it is not, esp. in order to deceive people or as a game:
- [ + to infinitive ] Tom pretends to care.
- [ + (that) clause ] The children pretended (that) they were dinosaurs.

She'll pretend that she hasn't seen us - you watch.
Just for a laugh, I pretended that I'd forgotten it was his birthday.
He isn't really angry - he's just pretending.
She sidled past him, pretending that she had not seen him.
He even tried to pretend he was a film star's son - can you believe it?
Furthermore, children manifested a marked increase in pretend-play with toy objects that were replicas of real objects specifically designed to stand for other objects.
There is no point in pretending that buyer-seller relationships are ships passing in the night, always a short-term swap.
Both utterances are situated in a pretend frame.