preenverb
uk/priːn/us/priːn/preen verb (TIDY)
[ I or T ] If a bird preens or preens itself, it cleans and arranges its feathers using its beak.
[ I or T ] disapproving to spend time making yourself look attractive:
Roald always spends ages preening (himself) before he goes out.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Animal (non-human) behaviour
- accidental
- eusocial
- fledge
- lap
- maul
- migrant
- mob
- molt
- nest
- nuzzle
- perch
- prey
- ruminate
- scratch
- shy
- skitter
- slaver 1
- stampede
- torpor
- trot
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Skilled, talented and able
preen verb (FEEL PROUD)
preen yourself
to feel very proud or satisfied with yourself because of an action or quality:
The government is publicly preening itself on the latest trade figures.
The company preened itself for having taken on so many new employees last year.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Showing arrogance and conceit
- (as) proud as Lucifer idiom
- a cut above idiom
- airs and graces idiom
- arrogant
- as if you owned the place idiom
- brash
- cocksure
- egocentric
- egoistic
- egotistic
- get on your high horse idiom
- haughty
- officious
- overbearing
- proudly
- put on the dog idiom
- revolve
- revolve around sb/sth
- self-appointed
- snotty
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