PRETEND Meaning and
Definition
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Pretend is a verb that refers to the act of putting on a false appearance or behavior, often with the intention of deceiving others or creating a false impression. It involves acting as if something is true or real despite knowing it is not. When one pretends, they behave or speak in a way that suggests they possess certain qualities, abilities, or knowledge that they do not actually possess. This may involve imitating a character, role, or situation different from one's actual self.
The concept of pretending is often associated with imaginative or play-driven activities, particularly common among children. During pretend play, children engage in make-believe scenarios, adopting roles and assuming characteristics that differ from reality. Pretending enables the exploration of different identities, emotions, and social dynamics, facilitating cognitive and emotional development.
Pretending can also be used as a coping mechanism or defense mechanism. Individuals may pretend to be strong, confident, or unaffected in challenging situations, despite feeling vulnerable or overwhelmed internally. A person may pretend to be happy or content in order to hide their true feelings, avoiding scrutiny or concern from others.
In summary, pretending involves intentionally presenting oneself as someone or something one is not, whether in a creative, deceptive, or protective manner. It can be a form of imaginative play, a coping mechanism, or a means of deception, often employed to manipulate others or create alternative realities.
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To hold out or allege to others something as true which is feigned or unreal; to assume or affect to feel; to claim or put in a claim; to hold out the appearance of possessing or performing.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for PRETEND *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for PRETEND
Etymology of PRETEND
The word "pretend" originated from the Old French word "pretendre", which means "to claim, to demand". It is derived from the Latin word "praetendere", which combines "prae" (before) and "tendere" (to stretch). The Latin term referred to stretching something out in front of oneself, usually symbolically, to indicate a claim or offer. Over time, "pretend" transformed into the English language, taking on the meaning of feigning or simulating something.
Idioms with the word PRETEND
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pretend to sth
The idiom "pretend to sth" means to act as if one possesses or exhibits a certain quality, characteristic, or skill, without actually having or demonstrating it. It involves the act of feigning or putting on a false show, often for the purpose of deceiving others or avoiding undesirable consequences.
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pretend/say that black is white
The idiom "pretend/say that black is white" means to intentionally deny or ignore the obvious truth or facts, often in an attempt to deceive others or oneself. It refers to asserting something that is clearly false or contradictory to reality.
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pretend that black is white
The idiom "pretend that black is white" means deliberately denying or ignoring the truth, facts, or reality of a situation, often for personal gain or to deceive others. It refers to the act of making false or misleading claims, denying obvious truths, or distorting reality.
Similar spelling words for PRETEND
- prudence,
- pretended,
- preteen,
- protein,
- protean,
- pretension,
- prudently,
- pro tem,
- pretender,
- pretense,
- proteome,
- pretending,
- pretence,
- prudent,
- proton,
- Pruden.
Conjugate verb Pretend
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have pretended
you
would have pretended
he/she/it
would have pretended
we
would have pretended
they
would have pretended
I
would have pretend
you
would have pretend
he/she/it
would have pretend
we
would have pretend
they
would have pretend
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been pretending
you
would have been pretending
he/she/it
would have been pretending
we
would have been pretending
they
would have been pretending
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would pretend
you
would pretend
he/she/it
would pretend
we
would pretend
they
would pretend
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be pretending
you
would be pretending
he/she/it
would be pretending
we
would be pretending
they
would be pretending
FUTURE
I
will pretend
you
will pretend
he/she/it
will pretend
we
will pretend
they
will pretend
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be pretending
you
will be pretending
he/she/it
will be pretending
we
will be pretending
they
will be pretending
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have pretended
you
will have pretended
he/she/it
will have pretended
we
will have pretended
they
will have pretended
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been pretending
you
will have been pretending
he/she/it
will have been pretending
we
will have been pretending
they
will have been pretending
IMPERATIVE
you
pretend
we
let´s pretend
to pretend
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was pretending
you
were pretending
he/she/it
was pretending
we
were pretending
they
were pretending
PAST PARTICIPLE
pretended
PAST PERFECT
I
had pretended
you
had pretended
he/she/it
had pretended
we
had pretended
they
had pretended
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been pretending
you
had been pretending
he/she/it
had been pretending
we
had been pretending
they
had been pretending
PRESENT
I
pretend
you
pretend
he/she/it
pretends
we
pretend
they
pretend
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am pretending
you
are pretending
he/she/it
is pretending
we
are pretending
they
are pretending
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
pretending
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have pretended
you
have pretended
he/she/it
has pretended
we
have pretended
they
have pretended
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been pretending
you
have been pretending
he/she/it
has been pretending
we
have been pretending
they
have been pretending
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
pretend
SIMPLE PAST
I
pretended
you
pretended
he/she/it
pretended
we
pretended
they
pretended
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