preening

[pree-ning]

noun

1. the act of trimming or dressing the feathers, fur, etc., with the beak or tongue.

   Examples of animals engaging in the same behavior at the same time include the gobbling of turkeys and the preening of birds.

2. the act of dressing oneself carefully or smartly, or making small adjustments to one’s clothing to appear trim and smart; primping.

   I remember my grandma using that perfume—the scent, and the preening in front of the mirror that went with it.

3. the act of priding oneself on an achievement, personal quality, etc., especially in an obnoxious way.

   All the posing and preening by these politicians is not going to help if the program ends up making food less affordable.

adjective

1. (of birds or animals) trimming or dressing the feathers, fur, etc., with the beak or tongue.

   We got fabulous views of a preening pair of trumpeter swans on a large rock in the river.

2. dressing oneself carefully or smartly; primping.

   He is a preening ladies' man and social climber.

3. priding oneself on an achievement, personal quality, etc., especially in an obnoxious way.

   Once again you show yourself to be nothing but a preening pseudointellectual.

Word History and Origins

Origin of preening¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; preen ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses; preen ¹ ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses

Example Sentences

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

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From Salon

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

From Los Angeles Times

The magic of blasting down a wall of water balanced on a few pounds of Styrofoam doesn’t typically translate to the rectangular page; too many efforts feel pompous, ponderous or preening.

From Los Angeles Times

Saxon is the preening alpha male, vocally on the prowl for sex, telling his little brother that he needs to drink more protein shakes and man up.

From Los Angeles Times