-
Trending Now:
More Trending:
- beleaguer scaramouch non sequitur admiral's mast calumny
- ALL
From the M-W Editors
preen was our Word of the Day on 01/20/2013. Hear the podcast!
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
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.
-
Mountain View Fun Mr. Pickles Loves to chirp, talk, play and bathe But must stop to preen.
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
Recent Examples of preen from the Web
-
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.
-
The winning prize includes $1,500, a trophy, and a flight to New York for media appearances where the pup can preen at last.
-
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.
-
Glory was preening and perching on a branch, foundation officials said.
-
The spirited soprano and hoofer Emily Barnash nailed her big number and monologue as the Old Woman with one buttock (don't ask), while another company stalwart, Billy Dawson, preened up a storm as Maximilian, Cunegonde's snobbish brother.
-
Republicans are tethered to the serial pratfalls of a president who preens as Zarathustra but emulates Buster Keaton.
-
While Nadal might not be preening about having an advantage here, many of his colleagues aren’t hesitating about placing him on the potential champions’ pedestal.
-
In another cringe-worthy moment, Trump shoved Montenegrin leader Dusko Markovic out of his way to clamber to the front of the pack to preen for a photo-op.
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.
First Known Use of preen
1572
preen
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
nounRecent Examples of preen from the Web
-
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.
-
The winning prize includes $1,500, a trophy, and a flight to New York for media appearances where the pup can preen at last.
-
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.
-
Glory was preening and perching on a branch, foundation officials said.
-
The spirited soprano and hoofer Emily Barnash nailed her big number and monologue as the Old Woman with one buttock (don't ask), while another company stalwart, Billy Dawson, preened up a storm as Maximilian, Cunegonde's snobbish brother.
-
Republicans are tethered to the serial pratfalls of a president who preens as Zarathustra but emulates Buster Keaton.
-
While Nadal might not be preening about having an advantage here, many of his colleagues aren’t hesitating about placing him on the potential champions’ pedestal.
-
In another cringe-worthy moment, Trump shoved Montenegrin leader Dusko Markovic out of his way to clamber to the front of the pack to preen for a photo-op.
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.
PREEN Defined for Kids
preen
playDefinition 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.
Learn More about preen
-
See words that rhyme with preen Spanish Central: Translation of preen Nglish: Translation of preen for Spanish speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up preen? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!