Playact - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Playact means to pretend or perform in a theatrical manner, often for entertainment or deception. It involves acting out roles or scenarios, either on stage or in everyday situations.
Definition:
To pretend or behave in a theatrical or exaggerated manner, often insincerely.
Synonyms:
pretend, fake, simulate, feign
Part of Speech:
verb, noun
Antonyms:
be genuine, be sincere
Common Collocations:
playact emotions, playact a role, playact innocence
Derivatives:
playacting, playacted
Usage Tips:
Use "playact" to describe exaggerated or insincere behavior, often in a dramatic context.
Common Phrases:
playact a part, stop playacting, playact for attention
Etymology:
Derived from "play" + "act," first used in the early 19th century to describe theatrical pretense.
Examples:
- 1. The children love to playact as superheroes in the backyard.
- 2. She tends to playact sadness when she wants sympathy.
- 3. Stop playacting and tell me how you really feel!
- 4. He playacted surprise so convincingly that everyone believed him.