preen

noun \ ˈprēn \

|Updated on: 20 Aug 2018

Definition of preen

1 dialectal, chiefly British : pin

2 dialectal, chiefly British : brooch

preen was our Word of the Day on 01/20/2013. Hear the podcast!

Origin and Etymology of preen

Middle English prene, from Old English prēon; akin to Middle High German pfrieme awl

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First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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preen

verb

Definition of preen

preened; preening; preens

transitive verb

chiefly Scotland

: pin

First Known Use of preen

1572

in the meaning defined above

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preen

verb

Definition of preen

preened; preening; preens

transitive verb

1 of a bird : to groom with the bill especially by rearranging the barbs and barbules of the feathers and by distributing oil from the uropygial gland

2 : to dress or smooth (oneself) up : primp

3 : to pride or congratulate (oneself) on an achievement

intransitive verb

1 : to make oneself sleek

2 : to behave or speak with obvious pride or self-satisfaction

—

preener

noun

Recent Examples of preen from the Web

It was thought the peacock might have been preening in the shiny reflection of the vehicle.

— carol cormaci, latimes.com, "La Cañada History: Peacock’s attack on car infuriates local homeowners," 9 July 2018
Both Jordan and David are eager to preen for the cameras.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "The Bachelorette Season 14, Episode 5 Recap: Your Greatest Power," 26 June 2018
The other two characters, brought in later, are the coldly analytical Borsuk (Jared Abrahamson) and the preening jock Allen (Blake Jenner).

— david sims, The Atlantic, "The Slick but Empty True Crime of American Animals," 1 June 2018
In Hetero Hawk Land, Lola is a nasal redhead who just wants to settle down and Pale Male is a preening alpha — well, male.

— kerry reid, chicagotribune.com, "'Birds of a Feather' is based on true story of same-sex penguin couple Roy and Silo," 11 May 2018
Alone among the cast, resplendent in coordinating pastels and preening self-regard, the marvelous Mr. Duris embraces the movie’s weirdness.

— jeannette catsoulis, New York Times, "Review: Zapped by Lightning, a French Teacher Becomes ‘Mrs. Hyde’," 26 Apr. 2018
McClure and Grisetti play brothers determined to become more successful than Pascal’s preening Shakespeare.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "In 'Something Rotten,' Adam Pascal is laughing — and living — it up," 22 Apr. 2018
In 2001, then-Manchester United star David Beckham appeared on the cover of niche British fashion magazine The Face, paving the way for preening players.

— jacob gallagher, WSJ, "Beyond the World Cup: How Soccer Has Changed the Way Men Dress," 14 June 2018
Most teams have a player or two -- or three -- who'll flop and preen and play-act like babies, hoping to get a little help from the ref.

— steve almasy, CNN, "Who should you root for in the World Cup when your country isn't even in it," 13 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of preen

Middle English prenen, alteration of proynen, prunen, from Anglo-French puroindre, proindre, from pur- thoroughly + uindre, oindre to anoint, rub, from Latin unguere — more at purchase, ointment

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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