pretence

noun

• 1an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true:his anger is masked by a pretence that all is well [mass noun]:they have finally abandoned their secrecy and pretence
• [mass noun] the practice of inventing imaginary situations in play:before the age of two, children start to engage in pretence
• [mass noun] affected and ostentatious speech and behaviour: they have always avoided preciousness and pretence

• 2 (pretence to) a claim to have a particular skill or quality:he was quick to disclaim any pretence to superiority