playacting

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

play•act /ˈpleɪˌækt/   v. [no object]

1. to engage in make-believe.
2. to be insincere;
   pretend.

play•act•ing, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

play•act  (plā′akt′), v.i. 

1. to engage in make-believe.
2. to be insincere or affected in speech, manner, etc.:
   It's hard to get away with playacting with members of one's own family.
3. to perform in a play.

v.t. 

4. to dramatize (something):
   They playacted the movements of a burglar.

• 1895–1900; back formation from playacting; see play, act, -ing¹

play′act′ing, n. 
play′ac′tor, n.