preen
verb (used with object)
(of animals, especially birds) to trim or dress (feathers, fur, etc.) with the beak or tongue.
was preening
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past progressiveof preen.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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 ● Jun. 22, 2025
By then, L.A. was preening itself over movies’ magnificence and munificence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 20, 2021
He was preening, mercurial, a creature of luxurious comforts and particular tastes.
From The New Yorker ● Feb. 20, 2019
It was clear that this was not a place that was preening itself for tourists.
From New York Times ● Apr. 13, 2012
“Indeed we have,” said Hallgrimsson, and if Coram had had to describe his expression, he would have said that the scholar was preening himself just a little.
From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman
