make-believe I. noun alsomake-belief\ˈ ̷ ̷( ̷ ̷)ˌ ̷ ̷\ (-s) 1.: a pretending to believe (as in the play of children) : a mere pretense : fiction < make-believe of the theater > 2.: one who makes believe : pretender II. adjective Etymology: from the phrase make believe : feigned < lived in a private make-believe world > : insincere < make-believe friendship >