preen

play

noun \ˈprēn\

Definition of preen

1 dialectal, chiefly British : pin
2 dialectal, chiefly British : brooch

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Recent Examples of preen from the Web

And for Bella Hadid, a glam squad session was a preen-worthy affair: the model posed for a nearly-nude capture amid touch-ups, her glossy brunette hair and abbreviated bangs playing well with opulent accents and lids smoked in metallic.

— calin van paris, Vogue, "The Best Beauty Instagrams of the Week: Selena Gomez, Victoria Beckham and More," 11 June 2017
There’s Preen for vegetable gardens (Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer) and Preen for ornamental gardens and landscapes (Flowers Trees and Shrubs Weed Preventer).

— bonnie blodgett, Twin Cities, "Blundering Gardener: There’s a Preen for everything," 25 Feb. 2017
Mountain View Fun Mr. Pickles Loves to chirp, talk, play and bathe But must stop to preen.

— joan morris, The Mercury News, "Valentines to our furry and feathery pets," 13 Feb. 2017
Mountain View Fun Mr. Pickles Loves to chirp, talk, play and bathe But must stop to preen.

— joan morris, The Mercury News, "Valentines to our furry and feathery pets," 13 Feb. 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

preen

verb

Definition of preen

chiefly Scotland

transitive verb
: pin

Recent Examples of preen from the Web

Pack the sunscreen and preen those feathers: The Dirtybird Campout is back and bigger than ever.

— kat bein, Billboard, "Dirtybird Campout 2017 Announces Lineup With Mija, Egyptian Lover, Daddy Kev, araabMUZIK & More," 11 July 2017
The adult drama, debuting with back-to-back episodes at 9 p.m. Monday, transforms the theater of 1589 London into a world of preening players, rowdy audiences and a rock soundtrack.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'Will' explores Shakespeare's wonder years," 7 July 2017
The birds sway together and gently preen each other’s feathers, an act of pair-bonding that helps them prepare for breeding.

— steph yin, New York Times, "Drumming Cockatoos and the Rhythms of Love," 28 June 2017
The former pharmaceutical CEO, who became a pariah after raising the cost of a life-saving drug 5,000 percent, has been preening for cameras and trolling on social media, potentially complicating his defense.

— tom hays, chicagotribune.com, "'Pharma Bro' defies advice to keep quiet before fraud trial," 26 June 2017
The winning prize includes $1,500, a trophy, and a flight to New York for media appearances where the pup can preen at last.

— raisa bruner, Time, "The World's Ugliest Dogs of the Last 10 Years," 23 June 2017
Morrison did an over-the-top (yet somehow eerily exact) impression of the 45th president of the United States, preening and barking and steepling his fingers.

— donna freedman, Alaska Dispatch News, "Mostly new ‘Whale Fat Follies’ pokes fun at president and revives old favorites," 22 June 2017
Glory was preening and perching on a branch, foundation officials said.

— dana hedgpeth, Washington Post, "A D.C. arboretum eaglet accidentally flies the coop," 15 June 2017
Alexandra Wright makes Chick’s constant primping and preening a despicable flaw, albeit a comedic one.

— eric marchese, Orange County Register, "Well-acted ‘Crimes of the Heart’ offers vintage Beth Henley," 13 June 2017

First Known Use of preen

1572

preen

verb

Definition of preen

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

Pack the sunscreen and preen those feathers: The Dirtybird Campout is back and bigger than ever.

— kat bein, Billboard, "Dirtybird Campout 2017 Announces Lineup With Mija, Egyptian Lover, Daddy Kev, araabMUZIK & More," 11 July 2017
The adult drama, debuting with back-to-back episodes at 9 p.m. Monday, transforms the theater of 1589 London into a world of preening players, rowdy audiences and a rock soundtrack.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'Will' explores Shakespeare's wonder years," 7 July 2017
The birds sway together and gently preen each other’s feathers, an act of pair-bonding that helps them prepare for breeding.

— steph yin, New York Times, "Drumming Cockatoos and the Rhythms of Love," 28 June 2017
The former pharmaceutical CEO, who became a pariah after raising the cost of a life-saving drug 5,000 percent, has been preening for cameras and trolling on social media, potentially complicating his defense.

— tom hays, chicagotribune.com, "'Pharma Bro' defies advice to keep quiet before fraud trial," 26 June 2017
The winning prize includes $1,500, a trophy, and a flight to New York for media appearances where the pup can preen at last.

— raisa bruner, Time, "The World's Ugliest Dogs of the Last 10 Years," 23 June 2017
Morrison did an over-the-top (yet somehow eerily exact) impression of the 45th president of the United States, preening and barking and steepling his fingers.

— donna freedman, Alaska Dispatch News, "Mostly new ‘Whale Fat Follies’ pokes fun at president and revives old favorites," 22 June 2017
Glory was preening and perching on a branch, foundation officials said.

— dana hedgpeth, Washington Post, "A D.C. arboretum eaglet accidentally flies the coop," 15 June 2017
Alexandra Wright makes Chick’s constant primping and preening a despicable flaw, albeit a comedic one.

— eric marchese, Orange County Register, "Well-acted ‘Crimes of the Heart’ offers vintage Beth Henley," 13 June 2017

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

PREEN Defined for Kids

preen

play

verb \ˈprēn\

Definition of preen for Students

preened

;

preening

1 : to smooth and clean with the bill The sparrow preened its feathers.
2 : to make a person's own appearance neat and tidy He preened himself in front of the mirror.