pretend

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman pretendre, Middle French pretendre (French prétendre (“to claim, demand”)), from Latin praetendere, present active infinitive of praetendō (“put forward, hold out, pretend”), from prae- (“pre-”) + tendō (“stretch”); see tend.

verb

1. To claim, to allege, especially when falsely or as a form of deliberate deception.
   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, →OL
   I have nothing but contempt for people who hire ghost-writers. But at least most faux authors have the decency to pretend that they are sweating blood over "their" book. April 13 2009, “Vanity publishing”, in The Economist
2. To feign, affect (a state, quality, etc.).
   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. October 29 2007, The Guardian, London
3. To lay claim to (an ability, status, advantage, etc.). (originally used without to)
   Chiefs shall be grudged the part which they pretend. 1682, John Dryden, The Medal
   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
4. To make oneself appear to do or be doing something; to engage in make-believe.
   Luster claimed that the women had consented to sex and were only pretending to be asleep. January 23 2003, Duncan Campbell, The Guardian, London
5. (transitive, obsolete) To hold before, or put forward, as a cloak or disguise for something else; to exhibit as a veil for something hidden.
6. (transitive, obsolete) To intend; to design, to plot; to attempt.
7. (transitive, obsolete) To hold before one; to extend.

adj

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.

noun

1. (childish, informal) the act of engaging in pretend play.