Added 9 October 2026
pretense
/ˈpɹiːtɛns/ noun
Latin root: praetēnsus Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about pretense at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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The action of pretending; false or simulated show or appearance; false or hypocritical assertion or representation.
He visited the king under the pretense of friendliness.
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Affectation or ostentation of manner.
She was a plain-speaking woman without a hint of pretense.
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Intention or purpose not real but professed.
with only a pretense of accuracy
Origin
Borrowed from Middle French pretensse, from Late Latin praetēnsus, past participle of Latin praetendō (“to pretend”), from prae- (“before”) + tendō (“to stretch”); see pretend.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)