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

Example Sentences

she's not half as innocent as she likes to let on
Recent Examples on the Web During the January 2022 interview, Hilton didn't let on, however, and giggled at what turned out to be the correct guess. Kirsty Hatcher, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2023 The Home Town star has shared clips of her singing in the past, but there's more to her passion for music than she's previously let on. Nathalie Kirby, House Beautiful, 25 Aug. 2021 The Times of Israel reported intelligence sources told Hebrew media that Israeli security service Mossad was responsible, and that the attack was far more serious than Iran let on. Carlie Porterfield, Forbes, 11 Apr. 2021 Or rather its reappearance leads Flora to realize that Julian, her husband of 20 years, may have been unfaithful, and that her best friend Margot knows more than she's let on. Ew Staff, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2021 However, the Cyber Unified Coordination Group, created on behalf of President Trump as part of the National Security Council, described the SolarWinds hack as far more serious than Trump has let on. Jonathan Vanian, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2021 The Browns can sure use him, especially with Odell Beckham Jr. out for the season with his torn ACL and Kareem Hunt fighting through a rib injury that’s probably been a lot more painful than he’s let on. cleveland, 1 Nov. 2020 Their connection ran deeper than Stone let on. Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2022 Warzone is getting some new modes and a couple big map changes, but if leaks and rumors are to be believed, the changes to the battle royale game could be even bigger than what Activision has let on. Erik Kain, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'let on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near let on

Cite this Entry

“Let on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/let%20on. Accessed 28 May. 2023.

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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