Yahoo India Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   pretence

   /prɪˈtɛns/

   noun

   • 1. an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true: "his anger is masked by a pretence that all is well" Similar make-believeactputting on an actactingdissemblingshammingshamfakingfeigningsimulationfalsificationdissimulationinventionimaginationself-deceptionplay-actingposturingpostureposingposecantattitudinizingdeceptiondeceitdeceitfulnessfraudhoaxfraudulencefabricationduplicityartificesubterfugetreacherytrickerydishonestyhypocrisyfalsitylyingmendacitylack of veracityfalse coloursinformal:kidologyrare:simulacrumfalse showshowsemblanceaffectationfalse appearanceappearanceoutward appearanceimpressionimagefrontfalse frontguisecolourfacadedisplaypostureposemasquerademaskcloakveilveneersmokescreencamouflagecovertravestyparodycharadearchaic:snivelOpposite realityhonesty
   • ▪ a false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions: "he asked me questions without any pretence at politeness"
   • ▪ the practice of inventing imaginary situations in play: "before the age of two, children start to engage in pretence"
   • ▪ affected and ostentatious speech and behaviour: "they have always avoided preciousness and pretence" Similar pretentiousnessdisplayostentationaffectationshowinessflauntingposturingposinghumbug
   • 2. a claim to have a particular skill or quality: "he was quick to disclaim any pretence to superiority" Similar claimaspirationpurportingprofession

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French pretense, based on medieval Latin pretensus ‘pretended’, alteration of Latin praetentus, from the verb praetendere (see pretend).

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • C

     3

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Dictionaries

   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPRETENCE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   PRETENCE definition: 1. a way of behaving that is intended to deceive people: 2. UK spelling of pretense. Learn more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › pretensePretense Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › pretense

   • Cached

   1. : a claim made or implied. especially : one not supported by fact. 2. a. : mere ostentation : pretentiousness. confuse dignity with pomposity and pretense Bennett Cerf. b. : a pretentious act or assertion. 3. : an inadequate or insincere attempt to attain a certain condition or quality. 4.

4. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitionpretence noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

   • Cached

   [uncountable, countable, usually singular] (formal or literary) a claim that you have a particular quality or skill. pretence (to something) A judge should have at least some pretence to objectivity. pretence (to doing something) I make no pretence to being an expert on the subject.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPRETENSE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   PRETENSE definition: 1. US spelling of pretence 2. a way of behaving that is intended to deceive people: 3. a way of…. Learn more.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › english › pretencePRETENCE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › english › pretence

   • Cached

   pretence in British English. or US 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.

7. www.dictionary.com › browse › pretencePRETENCE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › pretence

   • Cached

   noun. the act of pretending. a false display; affectation. a claim, esp a false one, to a right, title, or distinction. make-believe or feigning. a false claim or allegation; pretext. a less common word for pretension.

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › pretencePretence - definition of pretence by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › pretence

   • Cached

   noun. 1. struggling to keep up the pretence that all was well. 2. She was completely without guile or pretence. 3. He claimed the police beat him up under the pretence that he was resisting arrest. 4. We have never made any pretence to be faithful to each other.