feign
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /feɪn/
KK: /feɪn/
intransitive verb
Definition
To pretend to have a feeling, quality, or condition that is not real.
Example
She decided to feign interest in the conversation to be polite.
Tense Forms
Past: feigned
Past Participle: feigned
Conversation
I can't believe she tried to feign interest in his story.
Yeah, it was obvious she wasn't really paying attention.
I wonder why people feel the need to feign emotions like that.
Maybe they just want to be polite, even if it seems fake.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
pretend
simulate
act
Antonyms
reveal
disclose
expose
transitive verb
Definition
To pretend to have a particular feeling, quality, or state, often to deceive others.
Example
She decided to feign illness to avoid going to the party.
Tense Forms
Past: feigned
Past Participle: feigned
Conversation
Did you hear about the guy who tried to feign illness to skip work?
Yeah, I heard he got caught right away!
It's crazy how some people think they can just feign their way out of trouble.
Root Explanation
Feign → It originates from Old French *feindre* (meaning to pretend or to make believe), which in turn comes from Latin *fingere* (meaning to shape or to form). The word 'feign' means to pretend or to give a false appearance of something.
Memory Tip
Think of someone 'shaping' a false image or 'pretending' — that's why feign means to pretend.
Visually Confused Words
refeign
foreign
reign
feint
eigne
deign