preen Definition
- 1(of a bird) straighten and clean its feathers with its beak
- 2devote effort to making oneself look attractive and then admire one's appearance
Using preen: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "preen" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The bird preened its feathers after the rain.
Example
She spent hours preening herself in front of the mirror before the party.
Example
He preened his mustache while waiting for his date.
preen Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with preen
Example
He always preens himself on his cooking skills.
Example
He preened and strutted around the office after getting the promotion.
Example
She was preening her feathers after acing the exam.
Origins of preen
from Middle English 'prenen', meaning 'trim feathers'
Summary: preen in Brief
'Preen' [priːn] is a verb that refers to the act of birds cleaning their feathers with their beaks or humans grooming themselves to look attractive. It can also mean taking pride in one's achievements, as in 'He always preens himself on his cooking skills.' Synonyms include 'groom,' 'primp,' and 'tidy up,' while antonyms include 'dishevel' and 'mess up.'