Vocabulary in context
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Feign
To pretend to have or feel something; to present a false appearance in order to deceive.
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Imagine This
A boy is showing off how he can pump his muscles to show his veins. 'That’s no vein!' cried a girl, 'you drew them with coloring markers. Stop pretending!'
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Sounds Like
fayn
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Looks Like
Looks like: resembles 'feint' (a deceptive move) and rhymes with 'vein', reinforcing the idea of deception.
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Remember This
Feign comes from Old French feindre, from Latin fingere meaning 'to shape, form, invent' (to pretend).
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Other Forms
feignedadjective
feigninggerund/participle
feignsverb
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Connect With
pretend, simulate, sham, misrepresent, counterfeit
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Note
Avoid confusing feign with feint (a deceptive movement) or with sign; use with emotions, actions, or motives (feign interest, feign innocence).
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Study Deeper
Examples
- She feigned illness to avoid the test.
- The suspect feigned confidence during the interview.
Synonyms
pretendsimulatefakeshamaffect
Antonyms
be honesttell the truthreveal the truth
Etymology
From Old French feindre, from Latin fingere 'to shape, form, invent'.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: FEIGN = FAKE IN — to feign is to fake something in or pretend.
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verbTo approach and speak to someone in a bold, often aggressive or unwelcome manner.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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