preen

UK: /ˈpriːn/ US: /prin/ ,(prēn)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

preen¹ /prin/   v. 

1. Zoology [~ + object] (of a bird) to clean or dress (its feathers, etc.) with the beak or tongue.
2. to dress (oneself ) carefully or smartly;
   primp: [no object]
   stood preening in front of the mirror.
   [~ + oneself]
   preening himself in front of the mirror.
3. to be proud and show one's appreciation of oneself because of personal quality, etc.: [no object]
   He stood there preening as the teacher congratulated him.
   [~ + oneself]
   preening herself on her accomplishments.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

preen¹  (prēn), v.t. 

1. Zoology (of animals, esp. birds) to trim or dress (feathers, fur, etc.) with the beak or tongue:
   The peacock preened itself on the lawn.
2. to dress (oneself ) carefully or smartly;
   primp:
   The king preened himself in his elaborate ceremonial robes.
3. to pride (oneself ) on an achievement, personal quality, etc.:
   He preened himself on having been graduated with honors.

v.i. 

4. to make oneself appear striking or smart in dress or appearance:
   No amount of careful preening will compensate for poor posture.
5. to be exultant or proud.

• late Middle English prene, variant of Middle English prunen, proynen (see prune³), perh. by association with prenen, to stab, pierce (verb, verbal use, now dialect, dialectal, of prene preen²), from the pricking action of a bird's beak in preening 1480–90

preen′er, n. 

preen²  (prēn), n. [Chiefly Brit. Dial.]

1. British Terms a pin or brooch.

• bef. 1000; Middle English prene, Old English prēon a pin; cognate with Old Norse prjōnn pin; akin to Dutch priem, German Pfreim awl

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

preen / 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 followed by on) to pride or congratulate (oneself)

Etymology: 14th Century preinen, probably from prunen to prune³, influenced by prenen to prick, pin (see preen²); suggestive of the pricking movement of the bird's beak

ˈpreener noun