I. pri-ˈtend verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French pretendre, from Latin praetendere to allege as an excuse, literally, to stretch out, from prae- pre- + tendere to stretch — more at thin
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1. : to give a false appearance of being, possessing, or performing
does not pretend to be a psychiatrist
2.
a. : to make believe : feign
he pretend ed deafness
b. : to claim, represent, or assert falsely
pretend ing an emotion he could not really feel
3. archaic : venture , undertake
intransitive verb
1. : to feign an action, part, or role especially in play
2. : to put in a claim
cannot pretend to any particular expertise — Clive Barnes
Synonyms: see assume
II. adjective
Date: 1911
1. : imaginary , make-believe
had a pretend pal with whom he talked
2. : not genuine : mock
pretend pearls
3. : being a nonfunctional imitation
a pretend train for the children to play in