English Dictionary
Definition of “feign”
feign (feɪn
)
Definitions
verb
- to put on a show of (a quality or emotion); pretend ⇒
to feign innocence
- (tr) to make up; invent ⇒
to feign an excuse
- (tr) to copy; imitate ⇒
to feign someone's laugh
Alternative Forms
ˈfeigner noun ˈfeigningly adverb Word Origin
C13: from Old French feindre to pretend, from Latin fingere to form, shape, invent
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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pretend,
affect,
assume,
put on,
devise,
forge,
fake,
imitate,
simulate,
sham,
act,
fabricate,
counterfeit,
give the appearance of
dissemble,
make a show of
Usage examples
He couldn't continue to feign unconsciousness indefinitely, and he was in no position to face police enquiries.
Harcourt, Palma, A Matter of Conscience (1989)Or monkeys might feign disinterest in tasty food so that others do not come and steal it.
New Scientist (2004)Usual suspects Canterbury Crusaders ($4.25) and Auckland Blues ($4.50) are next ahead of ( feign surprise) the NSW Waratahs ($7).
Courier, Sunday Mail (2004)Souness had revealed Bellamy told team-mates he was going to feign injury to avoid playing out of position.
Sun, News of the World (2005)`Gordon was shot somewhere around here,' I said to Mohinder, who was too generous to do anything other than feign interest.
Jon Snow, SHOOTING HISTORY: A Personal Journey (2004)
