prink

American  

[pringk] / prɪŋk /

verb (used with object)

1. to dress, groom, or decorate (someone or something) in a careful and showy manner.

   He prinked and preened himself in preparation for the dance.

   Prink your hair with ribbons.

   The gazebo was prinked with flowers and buntings.

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verb (used without object)

1. to dress or groom oneself with care and attention.

   She stopped before the mirror and prinked.

prink British  

/ prɪŋk /

verb

1. to dress (oneself, etc) finely; deck out

2. (intr) to preen oneself

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Other Word Forms

• prinker
  noun

Etymology

Origin of prink

First recorded in 1570–80; apparently akin to prank ²

Example Sentences

"Law now, mother," said the Captain, "gals must prink afore such times; it's as natural as for hens to dress their feathers afore a thunder-storm."

From The Pearl of Orr's Island A Story of the Coast of Maine by Stowe, Harriet Beecher

The train stopped long enough to give us a chance to prink up a little; and one fellow had the hardihood to go off and get shaved.

From Our campaign around Gettysburg Being a memorial of what was endured, suffered and accomplished by the Twenty-third regiment (N. Y. S. N. G.) and other regiments associated with them, in their Pennsylvania and Maryland campaign, during the second rebel invasion of the loyal states in June-July, 1863 by Lockwood, John

She'd stand and prink, and fix her hair Around her forehead with great care; And take some time to tie a bow That must, to please her, lie just so.

From Cole's Funny Picture Book No. 1 by Cole, E. W. (Edward William)

I must go home an' prink Elly Precious an' Carruthers.

From Miss Theodosia's Heartstrings by Donnell, Annie Hamilton

Scant time was given to the godmothers to change their shoes, skirts, and stockings, and to prink.

From Atlantic Classics, Second Series by Addams, Jane

Related Words

• adorn
• beautify
• bedeck
• embellish
• embroider
• festoon
• fix up
• spruce up