Word Frequency
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
Derived Forms
ˈfeigner nounˈfeigningly adverb
Word Origin
C13: from Old French feindre to pretend, from Latin fingere to form, shape, inventTranslations for 'feign'
- British English: feign If someone feigns a particular feeling or physical condition, they try to make other people think that they have it or are experiencing it. VERBOne morning, I didn't want to go to school, and decided to feign illness.
- Brazilian Portuguese: fingir
- Chinese: 佯作
- European Spanish: fingir
- French: feindre
- German: vortäuschen
- Italian: fingere
- Japanese: ふりをする
- Korean: ~을 가장하다
- Portuguese: fingir
- Spanish: fingir
Example Sentences Including 'feign'
"I feign sleep but he simply presses closer, saying my name over and over.Three Kinds of Kissing - Scottish Short Stories
Alison James: Not only are you not listening, but you're not even willing to feign it?Maxim (2004)
At eleven the next morning she had to feign irritated surprise when he fell in beside her almost as soon as she appeared on the street.Lohengrin
He couldn't continue to feign unconsciousness indefinitely, and he was in no position to face police enquiries.A Matter of Conscience
REFS must get a lot tougher when dealing with players who argue about decisions, feign injury and stand forehead to forehead with them.Sun, News of the World (2001)
She was no longer willing to be, or feign to be, subservient to Elizabeth.ELIZABETH AND MARY: Cousins, Rivals, Queens (2003)
So they can hardly feign surprise when Chelsea are caught in negotiations with Ashley Cole.Sun, News of the World (2005)
They had planned the murder for months, the girlfriend even padding her belly to feign pregnancy.New Zealand Herald (2003)
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)
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