How to pronounce pretense
Say it like pree-TENS. Pretense has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TENS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pretense. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pree
- TENS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pretense pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- preeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- TENSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of pretense
American and British speakers say pretense in essentially the same way: /priˈtɛns/ in the US and /prɪˈtɛns/ in the UK.
British respelling: prih-TENS.
What does pretense mean?
- The action of pretending; false or simulated show or appearance; false or hypocritical assertion or representation.“He visited the king under the pretense of friendliness.”
- Affectation or ostentation of manner.“She was a plain-speaking woman without a hint of pretense.”
- Intention or purpose not real but professed.“with only a pretense of accuracy”
Where does pretense come from?
Borrowed from Middle French pretensse, from Late Latin praetēnsus, past participle of Latin praetendō (“to pretend”), from prae- (“before”) + tendō (“to stretch”); see pretend.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with pretense
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of pretense.
Words that sound like pretense
Questions about saying pretense
How do you pronounce pretense?
Say pree-TENS. The American pronunciation is /priˈtɛns/. In British English it is /prɪˈtɛns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pretense?
Pretense has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TENS). Broken into parts: pree · TENS.
Do Americans and Brits say pretense the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /priˈtɛns/ and the British form is /prɪˈtɛns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as pretense?
Pretense sounds the same as pretence in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.