Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense preens, present participle preening, past tense, past participle preened
1. verb
If someone preensthemselves, they spend a lot of time making themselves look neat and attractive; used especially if you want to show that you disapprove of this behaviour or that you find it ridiculous and amusing.
[disapproval]
50% of men under 35 spend at least 20 minutes preening themselves every morning. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
Bill preened his beard. [VERB noun]
2. verb
If someone preens, they think in a pleased way about how attractive, clever, or good at something they are.
[disapproval]
She stood preening in their midst, delighted with the attention. [VERB]
He preened himself on the praise he had received. [V pron-refl + on]
...a preening prize fighter about to enter a ring. [VERB-ing]
3. verb
When birds preen their feathers, they clean them and arrange them neatly using their beaks.
Rare birds preen themselves right in front of your camera. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
More Synonyms of preen
preen in British English1
(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)
Derived forms
preener (ˈpreener)
noun
Word origin
C14 preinen, probably from prunen to prune3, influenced by prenen to prick, pin (see preen2); suggestive of the pricking movement of the bird's beak
preen in British English2
(priːn)
noun
Scottish
a pin, esp a decorative one
Word origin
Old English prēon a pin; related to Middle High German pfrieme awl, Dutch priem bodkin
preen in American English
(prin)
verb transitive
1.
to clean and trim (the feathers) with the beak
said of birds
2.
to make (oneself) trim; dress up or adorn (oneself)
3.
to show satisfaction with or vanity in (oneself)
verb intransitive
4.
to dress up in a fussy way; prink or primp
Derived forms
preener (ˈpreener)
noun
Word origin
ME preynen, altered (infl. by preonen, to prick with a pin < preon < OE, a pin) < proinen, to prune3
Examples of 'preen' in a sentence
preen
It is just that the preening and pouting of the suited one has got to me.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Instead of practising, yesterday the Towie star spent his time preening himself in front of a mirror.
The Sun (2013)
DRY skin on your feet may be a sign of stress - perhaps as busy lives mean less time for personal preening.
The Sun (2013)
1 (verb)
Definition
to smarten (oneself) carefully
He spent half an hour preening in front of the mirror.20 minutes preening themselves every morning
Synonyms
smarten
admire
dress up
doll up (slang)
trim
jackets trimmed with crocheted flowers
array
deck out
spruce up
prettify
an attempt to prettify the town for the tourist trade
primp
trig (archaic, dialect)
titivate
prink
2 (verb)
Definition
(of birds) to clean or trim (feathers) with the beak
The linnet shook herself and preened a few feathers on her breast.
Synonyms
clean
smooth
groom
She always appeared perfectly groomed.
tidy
She made her bed and tidied her room.
plume
phrasal verb
See preen yourself
Additional synonyms
in the sense of groom
Definition
to keep (oneself or one's appearance) clean and tidy
She always appeared perfectly groomed.
Synonyms
smarten up,
dress,
clean,
turn out,
get up (informal),
tidy,
preen,
spruce up,
primp,
gussy up (slang, US)
in the sense of prettify
Definition
to make pretty
an attempt to prettify the town for the tourist trade
Synonyms
adorn,
decorate,
garnish,
ornament,
gild,
do up,
trim,
embellish,
deck out,
tart up (British, slang),
doll up (slang),
trick out,
pretty up,
titivate
in the sense of primp
Definition
to tidy (one's hair or clothes) fussily
Synonyms
preen,
dress up,
prank,
deck out,
doll up (slang),
gussy up (slang),
prink,
be in full fig (slang),
fig up (slang),
put on your best bib and tucker (informal),
put on your gladrags (slang)
Nearby words of
preen
predominant
predominantly
predominate
preen
preen yourself
preface
prefatory
Related terms of
preen
preen yourself
Synonyms of 'preen'
preen
Explore 'preen' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of tidy
Definition
to put (things) in their proper place
She made her bed and tidied her room.
Synonyms
neaten,
straighten,
put in order,
order,
clean,
groom,
spruce up,
put to rights,
put in trim
in the sense of trim
Definition
to adorn or decorate (something, such as a garment) with lace, ribbons, etc.