preen

¹

[preen]

verb (used with object)

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.

verb (used without object)

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

[preen]

noun

Chiefly British Dialect.

1. a pin or brooch.

preen

¹

/ 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)

preen

²

/ priːn /

noun

1. a pin, esp a decorative one

Other Word Forms

• preener noun
• unpreened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of preen¹

1480–90; late Middle English prene, variant of Middle English prunen, proynen ( 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of preen¹

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

Origin of preen²

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

Example Sentences

But it’s tricky to maintain a balance between eliciting sympathy for the central duo and making sport of them, in all their preening garishness.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Many were motionless, while others perched on rocks preening their feathers.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on Salon

He was preening for the press, warming to another of his vicious, incoherent jeremiads when his Canadian host suggested he join the others in a bit of work.

Read more on Salon

That last is a sly point that’s been an enduring comic take of Hitler’s artistic preening.

Read more on Los Angeles Times