let on

verb

let on; letting on; lets on

intransitive verb

1

: to make acknowledgment : admit

knows more than he lets on

2

: to reveal a secret

nobody let on about the surprise party

3

: pretend

let on to being a stranger

Synonyms of let on

• pretend
• make believe
• make a show

Examples of let on in a Sentence

she's not half as innocent as she likes to let on

Recent Examples on the Web

And is Kadri hurting more than anybody has let on publicly? —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 24 Apr. 2026

But behind that adorable moment is a rescue story that’s far more dramatic — and far more unlikely — than the viral version lets on. —Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2026

But if that was the reason, Sullivan didn’t let on after the game, instead framing it as a teaching moment. —Vincent Z. Mercogliano, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2026

In his LinkedIn post, Zandi said the VCI is near 5%, indicating further headwinds than the March jobs report lets on. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for let on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

let on

verb

1

: admit sense 1b, reveal

don't let on that I told you

2

: pretend entry 1 sense 2

he's not as happy as he lets on