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

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See Synonym Discussion at assume