pretense

UK: /prɪˈtens/

US: /prɪˈtɛns, ˈpritɛns/

US: (pri tens′, prē′tens)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•tense /prɪˈtɛns, ˈpritɛns/   n. 

1. an act or instance of pretending;
   (an instance of) make-believe:
   [countable] a pretense of friendship.
   [uncountable] It's all pretense; he has no intention of cutting our budget.
2. an apparent claim that seems true but is false:
   [countable] to obtain money under false pretenses.

See -tend-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•tense  (pri tens′, prē′tens), n. 

1. British Terms pretending or feigning;
   make-believe:
   My sleepiness was all pretense.
2. British Terms a false show of something:
   a pretense of friendship.
3. British Terms a piece of make-believe.
4. British Terms the act of pretending or alleging falsely.
5. British Terms a false allegation or justification:
   He excused himself from the lunch on a pretense of urgent business.
6. British Terms insincere or false profession:
   His pious words were mere pretense.
7. British Terms the putting forth of an unwarranted claim.
8. British Terms the claim itself.
9. British Terms any allegation or claim:
   to obtain money under false pretenses.
10. British Terms pretension (usually fol. by to):
    destitute of any pretense to wit.
11. British Terms pretentiousness.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] pretence. 

• Medieval Latin *praetēnsa, noun, nominal use of feminine of praetēnsus, past participle (replacing Latin praetentus) of praetendere to pretend
• Anglo-French
• late Middle English 1375–1425

pre•tense′ful, adj. 
pre•tense′less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. shamming.
• 2. semblance.
• 3. mask, veil.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pre•tence  (pri tens′, prē′tens), n. [Chiefly Brit.]

1. British Terms pretense.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pretence, pretense / prɪˈtɛns/ noun

1. the act of pretending
2. a false display; affectation
3. a claim, esp a false one, to a right, title, or distinction
4. make-believe or feigning
5. a false claim or allegation; pretext
6. a less common word for pretension3