Pretence
noun
Definition
1. A way of behaving intended to make people believe something that is not true.
2. A claim to have a particular quality or skill, especially when not fully genuine.
2. A claim to have a particular quality or skill, especially when not fully genuine.
Context Alive
Everyone at the dinner table could see that something was wrong between the couple. But they both kept up the pretence that everything was perfectly fine, smiling and chatting as if nothing had happened. Nobody dared to mention the tension in the room.
Meanings
2 meanings 1 Behaving to Make Others Believe Something Untrue (Noun) Very Common ▼
This meaning is about acting in a way that hides the truth and creates a false impression. Imagine a teenager who hates his new school but puts on a pretence of happiness every morning so his parents won’t worry — smiling, saying everything’s great, pretending he’s made friends. This is deliberately behaving in a way that doesn’t match reality. You might hear “she made a pretence of being interested in his story” or “they dropped all pretence and finally admitted the business was failing.” Or think about someone who gets money from an elderly person under false pretences — pretending to be a bank official, for example. The word suggests a deliberate act of hiding the truth behind a performance. ✏️ “Under false pretences” is an extremely common expression — it means getting something by deceiving people, like entering a building by pretending to be a delivery person.
Vivid ExampleAfter the argument, they both returned to the party and kept up the pretence that nothing had happened. They laughed and talked to guests like everything was normal. But their closest friends could see right through the act.
2 A Claim to Have a Quality or Skill (Noun) Less Common ▼
This meaning is about claiming — honestly or not — to have a certain ability, quality, or level of knowledge. Imagine a journalist who writes about complicated medical topics but openly admits she has no pretence to being a doctor — she’s saying clearly that she doesn’t claim to have that expertise. This is about the claim itself, whether someone makes it or denies it. You might read “I make no pretence to being an expert on the subject” or “he had no pretence of sophistication — he was just a simple, honest man.” Or think about a small restaurant that makes no pretence of being fancy — the food is great, but they don’t try to look like something they’re not. The word here is more formal and literary in tone. ✏️ This meaning usually appears in negative expressions — “no pretence to” or “no pretence of” — where someone is being modest or honest about their limitations.
Vivid ExampleThe old café on the corner made no pretence of being trendy or modern. The chairs were mismatched and the menu hadn’t changed in years. But the coffee was the best in town and the regulars wouldn’t have it any other way.
Examples from the Street
“He made no pretence of being interested — he just sat there on his phone the whole time.”
He didn’t even try to act as though he cared — he simply sat looking at his mobile for the entire duration
“She kept up the pretence for months before anyone realised the truth.”
She maintained the act of pretending for a long time before somebody finally discovered what was really going on
“Let’s drop the pretence — we both know this isn’t working.”
Let’s stop pretending — we’re both fully aware this situation is failing
Common Patterns
keep up / maintain a pretence → continue pretending over a period of time
drop / abandon the pretence → stop pretending and face reality
make no pretence of (doing something) → not even try to hide the truth
under the pretence of (doing something) → using a false reason to hide your real intention
a pretence of (something) → a false display of a feeling or quality
the pretence that… → the act of behaving as if something is true when it isn’t
a false/elaborate/thin pretence → a deception that is dishonest, carefully constructed, or unconvincing
a mere pretence → nothing more than an act — completely fake
a ridiculous/absurd pretence → an act of pretending that is obviously unbelievable
the slightest pretence → even the smallest effort to pretend
under/on false pretences → by lying or deceiving to get something
obtain something under/on false pretences → get something by deliberately misleading someone
gain entry under false pretences → get into a place by lying about who you are or why you’re there
Collocations
3 collocationsfalse pretence
a deceptive claim to appear as something you're not
under false pretences
using deception to achieve something
drop the pretence
stop pretending
Example Sentences
12 examples
1
She kept up the pretence that everything was fine, even though she was struggling badly
She continued to act as if nothing was wrong, despite the fact that she was having a very difficult time.
2
He didn’t even make a pretence of listening — he just stared out of the window the entire time
He didn’t make the slightest effort to look as though he was paying attention — he simply gazed through the glass for the whole duration.
3
Can we just drop the pretence and admit that nobody actually wants to do this?
Can we stop acting as if we’re all keen and honestly acknowledge that not a single person genuinely wants to go ahead with this?
4
She got into the building under the pretence of being a journalist
She managed to enter the property by pretending to be a reporter, which wasn’t true.
5
The meeting was a mere pretence — the decision had already been made before anyone sat down
The gathering was nothing more than an act — the outcome had been decided before a single person took their seat.
6
He was arrested for obtaining money under false pretences from elderly residents
He was taken into police custody for getting cash by deliberately deceiving and misleading older people living in the area.
7
Their friendship was based on a pretence — neither of them actually liked the other
Their relationship was built on something fake — in reality, neither one of them genuinely enjoyed the other’s company.
8
It was a thin pretence that fooled nobody — everyone could see she was furious
It was an unconvincing act that didn’t trick a single person — it was obvious to everybody that she was extremely angry.
9
He smiled and put on a pretence of calm, but his hands were shaking under the table
He forced a smile and tried to appear relaxed, but his fingers were trembling beneath the desk where nobody could see.
10
They maintained the pretence of a happy marriage for years before finally separating
They continued acting as though their relationship was perfectly fine for a long time before eventually deciding to go their separate ways.
Learner Examples
★
When students drop the pretence that they already understand everything, real learning begins — admitting confusion is the first step to progress
When learners stop acting as if they’ve already grasped all the material, genuine development starts — acknowledging that something is unclear is the very beginning of moving forward.
★
Some students keep up a pretence of confidence during speaking activities, but a good teacher can see the anxiety underneath and create a safer space for them
Certain learners put on a false display of self-assurance during oral exercises, but an effective educator can recognise the nervousness behind the act and build an environment where they feel more comfortable.
Phrasal Verbs & Idioms
1 item Idioms & Expressionsunder false pretences — by lying about intentions
He got into the building under false pretences by lying.
Synonyms & Antonyms
7 items
Synonymsact
fake behavior
facade
false front
show
display for effect
deception
misleading appearance
Antonymshonesty
being truthful
sincerity
genuine behavior
authenticity
being real