noun
pretense
PREE-tehns
noun
1
A false show or claim put on to create a misleading impression; the American spelling of "pretence".
"He got into the building under the pretense of delivering flowers."
"She dropped the pretense and admitted she was upset."
How to Use Pretense
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA cover story or false front used to hide the real motive or truth.
UK vs US
American English spells this "pretense"; British English uses "pretence".
Easily confused with
pretence →
pretension
Common pairings
under the pretense of
false pretenses
Word Forms
pretenses plural
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He got into the building under the _____ of delivering flowers.
Etymology
From Late Latin praetensus, past participle of Latin praetendere ("to pretend"), from prae- ("before") + tendere ("to stretch").