Feign
/feɪn/
Definitions
To pretend to be affected by a feeling, state, or injury.
/feɪn/
To pretend to feel or be affected by something.
He feigned sleep to avoid answering questions.
💡 Simply: Imagine you don't like a gift, but you want to be polite. You might 'feign' excitement, pretending to be super happy about it!
👶 For kids: To pretend you feel something, like being sick or happy.
More Examples
She feigned interest in his story, even though she was bored.
The actor feigned a limp for the role.
They feigned innocence when questioned about the missing money.
How It's Used
"She feigned surprise when she received the gift."
"He feigned illness to avoid the meeting."
From Middle English *feinen*, from Old French *faindre* ('to pretend, dissimulate'), from Latin *fingere* ('to shape, mold, invent, imagine').
The word 'feign' has been used in English since the 13th century, evolving from its Latin and French roots to describe the act of pretending or making a false show.
Memory tip
Think 'fake feeling'. If you want to feign happiness, you're just pretending to be happy.
Word Origin
"to shape, mold, invent, imagine"