French Conversation · Level 117
58 words
French word
semblant
Pronunciation
IPA/sɑ̃blɑ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounsemblance
Example
Il ne faut pas accepter un semblant d'explication.
One must not accept a mere semblance of an explanation.
More examples
Il a fait semblant d'écouter pendant la réunion.
He pretended to listen during the meeting.
Core concept
An outer display that looks like substance while hiding or lacking the thing itself.
Common phrases
faire semblant de
pretend to ___
un semblant d'intérêt
a pretense of interest
Similar words
apparence: The outward appearance or visible aspect of a person or thing.
façade: A deceptive outer front that can hide the true nature of something.
masque: A displayed exterior that conceals genuine feelings or circumstances.
Definition in French
Façade extérieure ou aspect apparent d'une chose, souvent sans correspondance avec la réalité intérieure.
Word origin
French semblant comes through Old French from a present-participle form related to Latin simulare, meaning "to imitate," and developed the sense of an apparent or deceptive outward form.
Usage tips
- The noun semblant often has a literary tone, whereas faire semblant de plus an infinitive is a common everyday expression meaning to pretend.
Other meanings
- pretensenoun
- appearancenoun
Opposites
- réalitérealitynoun
- authenticitéauthenticitynoun