preen
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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(of animals, especially birds) to trim or dress (feathers, fur, etc.) with the beak or tongue.
The peacock preened itself on the lawn.
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to dress (oneself ) carefully or smartly; primp.
The king preened himself in his elaborate ceremonial robes.
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to pride (oneself ) on an achievement, personal quality, etc..
He preened himself on having graduated with honors.
verb (used without object)
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to make oneself appear striking or smart in dress or appearance.
No amount of careful preening will compensate for poor posture.
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to be exultant or proud.
noun
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a pin or brooch.
verb
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(of birds) to maintain (feathers) in a healthy condition by arrangement, cleaning, and other contact with the bill
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to dress or array (oneself) carefully; primp
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(usually foll by on) to pride or congratulate (oneself)
noun
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a pin, esp a decorative one
Other Word Forms
- preener noun
- unpreened adjective
Etymology
Origin of preen1
1480–90; late Middle English prene, variant of Middle English prunen, proynen ( prune 3 ), perhaps by association with prenen, to stab, pierce (v. use, now dial., of prene preen 2 ), from the pricking action of a bird's beak in preening
Origin of preen2
before 1000; Middle English prene, Old English prēon a pin; cognate with Old Norse prjōnn pin; akin to Dutch priem, German Pfreim awl
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.
These days, pastel and fluorescent birds groom, preen and bicker in enclosures behind the home.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
Maybe it’s happiest tucked into a cast-iron skillet, going golden and jammy while the showier types preen in their baskets.
From Salon • Aug. 12, 2025
It might be a bank holiday in the UK, but for the designers, publicists and PAs, it'll be an extraordinarily busy day as they preen and prepare their stars to walk the grand staircase.
From BBC • May 4, 2025
Foster wasn’t the only coach who could preen.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 4, 2024
But this wasn’t the time to gloat or preen, or even to relax.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.