English → Latin
“pretend” in Latin
simulōto make like, simulate, imitate, copy, represent; to feign, pretend; to behave or act (as if, as though)assimulōto consider as similar, make similar, assimilate; to consider as similar, compare; to represent something that is not as
The English word pretend itself goes back to Latin tendō, through praetendo.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
pretend
simulare, assimulare, or (when an adjective follows as the object) assimulare se; either with an accusative of the object, or with an accusative and infinitive, or with quasi and subjunctive. To pretend friendship toward anyone, amicitiam simulare; amicum assimulare: to pretend to be sick, simulare aegrum: to pretend to be mad, simulare se furere.
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for pretend?
- The usual Latin words for “pretend” are simulō, assimulō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.