Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1400-1500
Origin: Probably from Old French proignier; PRUNE1

preen

 verb
     
Related topics: Hair and Beauty
preen [intransitive and transitive]
1 if a bird preens or preens itself, it cleans itself and makes its feathers smooth using its beak
2DCB to spend time making yourself look tidier and more attractive
preen yourself
a girl preening herself in the mirror
3 to look proud and feel pleased because of something you have done
preen yourself
He enjoyed the applause, preening himself like a pop star.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary