1 ~ (to sb) (that...) to behave in a particular way, in order to make other people believe sth that is not true:
[V] I'm tired of having to pretend all the time. * Of course I was wrong; it would be hypocritical to pretend otherwise. * [V(that)] He pretended to his family that everything was fine. * We pretended (that) nothing had happened. * She pretended (that) she was his niece. * [Vtoinf] I pretended to be asleep. * He pretended not to notice. * She didn't love him, though she pretended to. * [VN] (formal) She pretended an interest she did not feel.
2 (especially of children) to imagine that sth is true as part of a game:
[V(that)] Let's pretend (that) we're astronauts. * [V] They didn't have any real money so they had to pretend.
3 ~ (to sth) (usually used in negative sentences and questions) to claim to be, do or have sth, especially when this is not true:
[V] I can't pretend to any great musical talent. * [V(that)] I don't pretend (that) I know much about the subject, but... * [Vtoinf] The book doesn't pretend to be a great work of literature.
adjective [usuallybeforenoun] (informal) (often used by children) not real, imaginary:
pretend cakes / toys
