preen

[ preen ]

See synonyms for preen 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 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.

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

preen·er, noun
un·preened, adjective

Other definitions for preen (2 of 2)

preen²

[ preen ]

nounChiefly 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. 2023

How to use preen in a sentence

The coiffed and preened diners look up from such offerings as wild Alaskan sockeye salmon and goat-cheese tart.
Chicago Gangs Go ‘Wilding’ Amid Rising Gun Violence in Obama’s Hometown | Michael Daly | August 31, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
She glided like a queen into the Whitney Gala on Monday night and watched as hot young things preened and posed in her gowns.
Inside Donatella's World | Rebecca Dana | October 20, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
They primped and preened and left the rest of us only time to wash sketchily before reaching our destination.
The Affable Stranger | Peter McArthur
He warmed to her smile, preened himself and gave himself half a dozen gallant airs on the spot.
The Pioneers | Katharine Susannah Prichard
Below them, in their holes in the sandstone, pigeons preened themselves and cooed softly.
Sons and Lovers | David Herbert Lawrence

She talked to him, preened herself in his gaze, and maddened him with a manner of deadly roguishness.
Bunker Bean | Harry Leon Wilson
The guineas which he had distributed amongst the crew caused him to be saluted constantly, a fact on which he preened himself.
The Great Airship. | F. S. Brereton

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)

Origin of 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

Derived forms of preen

preener, noun

British Dictionary definitions for preen (2 of 2)

preen²

/ (priːn) /

noun

Scot a pin, esp a decorative one

Origin of 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

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