feign

feign

verb \ˈfān\

Definition of FEIGN

intransitive verb

: pretend, dissemble

transitive verb

1

a : to give a false appearance of : induce as a false impression <feign death>

b : to assert as if true : pretend

2

archaic

a : invent, imagine

b : to give fictional representation to

3

obsolete : disguise, conceal

— feign·er noun

Examples of FEIGN

1. <I would never feign illness just to get out of a test.>
2. I wince, feigning interest in a TV Guide and mumbling a hello. —Douglas Coupland, Generation X, 1991
3. Success keeps her busy. “Relaxation?” she asks, feigning puzzlement. “What's that?” —Jennifer Johnston, New Woman, November 1990
4. … Brad would sometimes clown or feign clumsiness just to crack her composed expression with a blush or a disapproving frown. —John Updike, Trust Me, 1987

Origin of FEIGN

Middle English, from Anglo-French feign-, stem of feindre, from Latin fingere to shape, feign — more at dough

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to FEIGN

Synonyms

act, affect, assume, bluff, counterfeit, dissemble, fake, pass (for), pretend, profess, put on, sham, simulate, make believe

Related Words

dissimulate, impersonate, let on, masquerade, play, playact, pose; forge, imitate; camouflage, conceal, disguise, mask; feint; malinger

See Synonym Discussion at assume