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    Prétextes (en. Pretexts)

    /pʁe.tɛk/

    Meaning & Definition

    EnglishFrench
    noun
    Arguments or reasons used to justify an action.
    He gave excuses for not coming to the meeting.
    Il a donné des prétextes pour ne pas venir à la réunion.
    Apparent reasons that mask a true intention.
    His excuses were transparent; no one believed them.
    Ses prétextes étaient transparents, personne ne les a crus.

    Etymology

    From Latin 'praetextus', meaning 'what is placed in front'.

    Common Phrases and Expressions

    to have a pretext
    To have a reason to act in a certain way.
    avoir un prétexte
    spurious pretext
    Invalid reason, often misleading.
    prétexte fallacieux
    under the pretext of
    Under the cover or guise of something.
    sous prétexte de

    Related Words

    excuse
    Reason used to explain or justify an action.
    excuse
    justification
    Reason or explanation that makes something acceptable.
    justification
    argument
    Reasoning put forward to support an opinion.
    argument

    Slang Meanings

    To use a false pretext.
    He came up with a flimsy excuse to avoid going out.
    Il a sorti un prétexte bidon pour éviter de sortir.
    Pretext for doing something suspicious.
    She always has an excuse to avoid talking about her problems.
    Elle a toujours un prétexte pour éviter de parler de ses problèmes.