noun
pretence
prih-TEHNS
noun
1
A false show or claim, put on to disguise the truth or create a particular impression; the British spelling of "pretense".
"He kept up the pretence of being busy whenever the boss walked past."
How to Use Pretence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fake front — acting as if something is true when it isn't.
UK vs US
British English spells this "pretence"; American English uses "pretense".
Easily confused with
Word Forms
pretences plural
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He kept up the _____ of being busy whenever the boss walked past.