preen

¹ American  

[preen] / prin /

verb (used with object)

• preens,
  present (3rd person singular)
• preened,
  past participle,  past
• preening
  present participle

1. (of animals, especially birds) to trim or dress (feathers, fur, etc.) with the beak or tongue.

   The peacock preened itself on the lawn.

2. to dress (oneself ) carefully or smartly; primp.

   The king preened himself in his elaborate ceremonial robes.

3. to pride (oneself ) on an achievement, personal quality, etc..

   He preened himself on having graduated with honors.

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verb (used without object)

• preens,
  present (3rd person singular)
• preened,
  past participle,  past
• preening
  present participle

1. to make oneself appear striking or smart in dress or appearance.

   No amount of careful preening will compensate for poor posture.

2. to be exultant or proud.

preen ² American  

[preen] / prin /

noun

Chiefly British Dialect.

1. a pin or brooch.

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preen ¹ British  

/ priːn /

verb

1. (of birds) to maintain (feathers) in a healthy condition by arrangement, cleaning, and other contact with the bill

2. to dress or array (oneself) carefully; primp

3. (usually foll by on) to pride or congratulate (oneself)

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preen ² British  

/ priːn /

noun

1. a pin, esp a decorative one

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preener
  noun
• unpreened
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• preening
  present
• preened
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• preen
  simple
• preens
  simple
• have preened
  perfect
• has preened
  perfect
• am preening
  progressive
• are preening
  progressive
• is preening
  progressive
• have been preening
  perfect progressive
• has been preening
  perfect progressive

Past

• preened
  simple
• had preened
  perfect
• was preening
  progressive
• were preening
  progressive
• had been preening
  perfect progressive

Future

• will preen
  simple
• will have preened
  perfect
• will be preening
  progressive
• will have been preening
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of preen¹

1480–90; late Middle English prene, variant of Middle English prunen, proynen ( see prune ³), perhaps by association with prenen, to stab, pierce (v. use, now dial., of prene preen ² ), from the pricking action of a bird's beak in preening

Origin of preen²

before 1000; Middle English prene, Old English prēon a pin; cognate with Old Norse prjōnn pin; akin to Dutch priem, German Pfreim awl

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Explanation

When a bird or a cat preens, it smooths its feathers or cleans its fur. When you preen, you primp and pay careful attention to how you're dressed and groomed, as if you're inviting the whole world to watch you. You can also preen just by puffing yourself up and congratulating yourself for something. You've just landed your triple flip on the ski jump, and, as you swoosh to a stop at the foot of the hill and take off your skis, you preen as you make your way through the adoring crowd.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

preen preens preened preening

These days, pastel and fluorescent birds groom, preen and bicker in enclosures behind the home.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026

Maybe it’s happiest tucked into a cast-iron skillet, going golden and jammy while the showier types preen in their baskets.

From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2025

It might be a bank holiday in the UK, but for the designers, publicists and PAs, it'll be an extraordinarily busy day as they preen and prepare their stars to walk the grand staircase.

From BBC ● May 4, 2025

His middle school pals call him “Wang Wang,” one of a few silly monikers among his longtime friend group, who preen and posture beyond their years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2024

But this wasn’t the time to gloat or preen, or even to relax.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

Torelli is a great physical comic; even in wrist restraints, she preens.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2024

Brianne purrs and preens even as she expresses skepticism, and whines and demurs when she might bare real claws.

From New York Times ● Mar. 3, 2023

Robotnik preens, seethes, and contorts his face to spit out condescending sarcasm with all the psychology of a Saturday morning cartoon baddie.

From Slate ● Feb. 14, 2020

Swain’s Damon rolls on the floor and preens like a cat.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 6, 2019

“Methinks she preens her feathers just for me,” Guildenstern boasted.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Jeudy pranced and preened in a squabble with Smith, the former Panthers star receiver and current NFL Network analyst, prior to the Broncos’ 19-8 loss at Kansas City last week.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 20, 2023

So if you happen to raise an orphan like we did with Alfie, that desire to be preened is very relatable.

From Salon ● Oct. 1, 2023

Sporting a flipped bouffant hairstyle and a floral wiggle dress that harked back to the 1967 film “Valley of the Dolls,” she’s not just immaculately preened for her inaugural L.A.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2023

Some guests — who preened in eye-popping colors, aggressive patterns, velvet slippers and stiletto heels — were art-struck.

From New York Times ● Mar. 11, 2022

He took a long wing feather into his beak and slowly preened himself.

From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis

The contrast between the quiet, humble Messi and the preening, ostentatious Ronaldo has defined soccer in recent times and certainly fueled its growth and popularity in the U.S. and parts of Asia.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 15, 2026

Mr. Turturro brings a savory humor and pathos to the scene, while Mr. Giamatti’s preening lecturing has a contrasting comic officiousness.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

As in most of the director’s movies, the characters behave like preening betta fish.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026

At 41 years old, Ronaldo represents a living, breathing, preening conundrum for his national team.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

There were always adults available to encourage this relentless preening.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

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