pretend

/prɪˈtɛnd/
verb
  1. To act as if something is true when it is not, especially for play or deception.
    • He pretended not to hear the question so he wouldn't have to answer.
    • She pretended to be asleep when her mom checked on her.
    • The children like to pretend they are pirates sailing the ocean.
  2. To claim or assert something falsely.
    • She pretended that everything was fine, but her eyes told a different story.
    • Don't pretend you know the answer if you don't.
    • He pretended to have a college degree, but he never graduated.
adjective
  1. Imaginary or make-believe; not real.
    • The kids used a cardboard box as a pretend spaceship.
    • They built a pretend campfire out of sticks and red paper.
    • She wore a pretend crown and declared herself queen of the garden.
What does "pretend" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean