pretense
pretense Lexical Profile
pretense Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American An attempt to make something that is not the case appear true, or a false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions.
"She dropped all pretense of politeness and told the committee exactly what she thought of the proposal."
American A claim or assertion to have a particular skill, quality, or merit, especially when modest or doubtful.
"The author makes no pretense to being an expert in theoretical physics, focusing instead on the history of the scientists."
American Affected, ostentatious, or exaggerated behavior intended to impress others with one's importance or sophistication.
"The small neighborhood bistro served exceptional French cuisine completely free of pretense."
Word Nuance & Usage
Spelled "pretense" in American English and "pretence" in British English. It is often distinguished from "pretext," which refers specifically to a plausible reason offered to conceal one's real motive, whereas "pretense" more broadly denotes the act of pretending or putting on a false outward display.
• Rhymes for pretense
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Anglo-French pretense, derived from Medieval Latin praetensa, a noun use of the feminine past participle of Latin praetendere, meaning "to stretch forth, hold before, or put forward as an excuse."