makebelieve

Make-believe, also written make believe, is the practice of pretending to act as if something is true or real when it is not. In everyday use, it describes imagined scenarios, roles, objects, or events that participants agree to treat as real within a shared frame of reference. Make-believe is common in childhood but also appears in adults through activities such as theater, role-playing, or immersive games.

Development and psychology: Pretend play begins in early childhood and involves symbolic thinking, role-taking, and narrative construction. It supports language development, social coordination, and theory of mind as children negotiate rules, outcomes, and responses to peers’ ideas. Theories include Piaget’s concept of symbolic play and Vygotsky’s emphasis on social interaction and cultural tools; both views consider pretend play important for cognitive and social development.

Forms and contexts: Pretend play can be solitary or collaborative. Children may imitate parents, heroes, or everyday scenarios; adults engage in role-play, improvisation, theater, or therapeutic settings. Video games or immersive media can create shared make-believe worlds. The boundary between make-believe and deception is typically defined by agreed-upon rules and consent among participants.

Cultural and educational use: Make-believe is valued in many educational and developmental contexts as a means to explore concepts, empathy, and problem-solving. It is also used in play therapy to address emotional or behavioral concerns. In literature and media, make-believe refers to fictional worlds created by authors and depicted in film or on stage.