preen

[ preen ]

/ prin /

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See synonyms for: preen / preened on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

(of animals, especially birds) to trim or dress (feathers, fur, etc.) with the beak or tongue: The peacock preened itself on the lawn.

to dress (oneself) carefully or smartly; primp: The king preened himself in his elaborate ceremonial robes.

to pride (oneself) on an achievement, personal quality, etc.: He preened himself on having been graduated with honors.

verb (used without object)

to make oneself appear striking or smart in dress or appearance: No amount of careful preening will compensate for poor posture.

to be exultant or proud.

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Origin of preen

1480–90; late Middle English prene, variant of Middle English prunen, proynen (see prune³), perhaps by association with prenen, to stab, pierce (v. use, now dial., of prenepreen²), from the pricking action of a bird's beak in preening

OTHER WORDS FROM preen

preener, nounun·preened, adjective

Words nearby preen

preemption, preemptive, preemptively, preemptive right, preemptive strike, preen, preengage, preengineered, preen gland, preequalization, preestablish

Other definitions for preen (2 of 2)

preen²

[ preen ]

/ prin /

noun Chiefly British Dialect.

a pin or brooch.

Origin of preen

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use preen in a sentence

Owls normally find naturally occurring hideaways to preen, sleep, and build nests.
Transform your yard into an owl kingdom|John Kennedy|July 29, 2021|Popular-Science
When the loon was released, Mager said it seemed to swim out onto the lake, preening itself.
How a group of strangers came together to rescue a lonely loon on a small lake in Virginia|Dana Hedgpeth|May 28, 2021|Washington Post
A Manassas retiree who had started a Facebook page when the loon landed in Fairfax posted daily pictures and comments that tracked the loon swimming, preening, fish-catching and eating.
How a group of strangers came together to rescue a lonely loon on a small lake in Virginia|Dana Hedgpeth|May 28, 2021|Washington Post
Since then, posts and updates on the loon have taken off as many report on its every move, from eating a fish to preening its feathers.
A loon came to rest in a suburban Virginia pond. The ‘loonarazzi’ is following its every move.|Dana Hedgpeth|May 6, 2021|Washington Post

Sam liked to wear fancy necklaces, the flashier the better, and strut and preen like Marlene Dietrich in “The Blue Angel.”
Gene Weingarten: Confessions of a compassionate hit man|Gene Weingarten|February 25, 2021|Washington Post
Hot pink takes the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi runway in London.
LFW Photo of the Day: Sept. 15||September 15, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This is not the first time Palin has attempted to sun and preen herself in the heat of a Thatcherite sun.
Palin’s Delusions of Grandeur|Alex Massie|June 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Rather than preen about whether he could win, Christie considered whether he should win.
2012's Presidential Whiners|Howard Kurtz|May 29, 2011|DAILY BEAST
An endless stream of 2012 presidential wannabes will preen for adoring fans and plentiful cameras.
The Right Invades Washington|Samuel P. Jacobs, Shushannah Walshe|February 8, 2011|DAILY BEAST
A few moments to preen and promenade for the cameras following months of planning and fitting, hours of hair and makeup.
America's First Modern Celebrity|Laura Skandera Trombley|March 20, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The stones and metal rattle inEach dry and withering ear, As lackadaisical they loll,And preen themselves, and peer.
Charles Baudelaire, His Life|Thophile Gautier
I saw him rise from his chair; I saw the astounded look of old Deborah Preen when she came in with his supper ale in a jug.
Johnny Ludlow, Fourth Series|Mrs. Henry Wood
The nurse wore a scared face; Deborah Preen, wringing her hands, burst out sobbing.
Johnny Ludlow, Fourth Series|Mrs. Henry Wood
Softly, calmly, with the purest joy he sang, pausing at the end of every few bars to preen and call.
Roof and Meadow|Dallas Lore Sharp
He was a very polished prince, and when he had eaten his dinner he turned round to the lady and sought a preen to pyke his teeth.
Spare Hours|John Brown

British Dictionary definitions for preen (1 of 2)

preen¹

/ (priːn) /

verb

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

to dress or array (oneself) carefully; primp

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

Derived forms of preen

preener, noun

Word Origin for preen

C14 preinen, probably from prunen to prune ³, influenced by prenen to prick, pin (see preen ²); suggestive of the pricking movement of the bird's beak

British Dictionary definitions for preen (2 of 2)

preen²

/ (priːn) /

noun

Scot a pin, esp a decorative one

Word Origin for preen

Old English prēon a pin; related to Middle High German pfrieme awl, Dutch priem bodkin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

preen

Origin of preen

OTHER WORDS FROM preen

Words nearby preen

Other definitions for preen (2 of 2)

Origin of preen

Words related to preen

How to use preen in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for preen (1 of 2)

Derived forms of preen

Word Origin for preen

British Dictionary definitions for preen (2 of 2)

Word Origin for preen