Definitions

1. noun

a false or pretended attitude or feeling, or a false appearance of doing something

“The government’s pretence of concern for the environment was widely criticized.”

2. noun

a false or pretended quality or attribute

“Her beauty was just a pretence, and she was actually quite plain.”

3. verb

to give a false or pretended impression of something

“He pretends to be interested in sports, but he has no idea what he’s talking about.”