said of a bird: to clean and smooth (its feathers) with its beak

to make oneself look smart or attractive in an ostentatious way

to dress or smarten (oneself) up

usu derog (often + on) to pride or congratulate (oneself) on something, esp some imagined good quality

to make oneself look smart or attractive in an ostentatious way

to appear to be congratulating oneself; to gloat

He couldn't help preening after his campaign victory

said of a bird: to preen its feathers