First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
feign
verb \ˈfān\
: to pretend to feel or be affected by (something)
Full Definition of FEIGN
intransitive verb
transitive verb
1
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Examples of FEIGN
- I wince, feigning interest in a TV Guide and mumbling a hello. —Douglas Coupland, Generation X, 1991
- Success keeps her busy. “Relaxation?” she asks, feigning puzzlement. “What's that?” —Jennifer Johnston, New Woman, November 1990
- … Brad would sometimes clown or feign clumsiness just to crack her composed expression with a blush or a disapproving frown. —John Updike, Trust Me, 1987
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Origin of FEIGN
Middle English, from Anglo-French feign-, stem of feindre, from Latin fingere to shape, feign — more at dough
Related to FEIGN
Synonym Discussion of FEIGN
assume, affect, pretend, simulate, feign, counterfeit, sham mean to put on a false or deceptive appearance. assume often implies a justifiable motive rather than an intent to deceive <assumed an air of cheerfulness around the patients>. affect implies making a false show of possessing, using, or feeling <affected an interest in art>. pretend implies an overt and sustained false appearance <pretended that nothing had happened>. simulate suggests a close imitation of the appearance of something <cosmetics that simulate a suntan>. feign implies more artful invention than pretend, less specific mimicry than simulate <feigned sickness>. counterfeit implies achieving the highest degree of verisimilitude of any of these words <an actor counterfeiting drunkenness>. sham implies an obvious falseness that fools only the gullible <shammed a most unconvincing limp>.
FEIGN Defined for Kids
feign
verb \ˈfān\
feignedfeign·ing
Definition of FEIGN for Kids
: pretend 2 <feigning sickness>
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