preen

¹ American  

[preen] / prin /

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.

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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 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

• preener noun
• unpreened adjective

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

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

Updates shared on social media show them eating regularly, growing stronger and starting to move their wings and preen their feathers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

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

At this moment Frightful, who had been sitting quietly on her stump, began to preen.

From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George