make-believeˈmake-beˌlieve noun [uncountable] 
He seems to be living in a world of make-believe. children in the middle of a make-believe adventure
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- For it is a curious characteristic of our unformed species that we live and model our lives through acts of make-believe.
- So we can probably rule out the theory that he is indulging in a weekly exercise in make-believe.
- Some time there will have to be an end to this make-believe.
- Surely it was part of a make-believe, like imagining you were playing number three for Somerset?
- That word appearing is the key to understanding the congressional world of make-believe.
- The make-believe could be eliminated if Congress systematically traced its laws through the bureaucracy to see what finally happened after their enactment.
- The fact that Gelsomina is awakened only by costuming suggests her need-given the limitations of Personal life-to escape into make-believe.
- The staff had a hard time assuring him that is was all make-believe.
Longman Language Activatorto pretend something as a game
to pretend something as a game, or because you enjoy it: pretend (that): · I like to drive around in my brother's BMW and pretend I'm a rich businessman.pretend to be: · He burst into the room with a toy gun in his hand, pretending to be a gangster.
to pretend that pleasant things are happening, that you are someone or somewhere you want to be, etc: make believe (that): · The two little girls used to make believe that they were princesses.make believe: · Right, kids. We don't have any proper cowboy hats so you'll have to make believe.
also play at British if children play or play at something, they pretend to be a particular type of person or to do a particular thing, as a game: · When I was young we played at pirates whenever we were on the beach.· When my sister was little, she always wanted to play school.play doctors and nurses: · Did you ever play doctors and nurses when you were small?play happy familiesBritish /play house American (=pretend to be a family): · Come on - let's go inside and play house!
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY He seems to be living in a world of make-believe.
when you imagine or pretend that something is real or true: He seems to be living in a world of make-believe. He seems to be living in a world of make-believe. children in the middle of a make-believe adventure