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

Examples of let on in a Sentence

she's not half as innocent as she likes to let on
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even those selling LinkedIn growth expertise aren’t letting on that they’re actually glued to the platform. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025 But the mission, dubbed Hail Mary, is far more dire than initially let on — not only is the sun dying, but so are all the stars. Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2025 Naturally, Charlie begins nosing around with the encouragement of her new friend, Alex (Patti Harrison), and discovers there’s more to the sweaty gym than lets on. Matt Minton, Variety, 26 June 2025 The president is signaling that the U.S. is already more involved in the conflict than the White House previously let on, NPR's Franco Ordoñez tells Up First. Brittney Melton, NPR, 18 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for let on

Word History

First Known Use

1725, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of let on was in 1725

Cite this Entry

“Let on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20on. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on let on

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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