Preen
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /pɹiːn/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Preen is a noun meaning A forked tool used by clothiers for dressing cloth.
Meaning
A forked tool used by clothiers for dressing cloth.
More Meanings
- (transitive) To pin; fasten.
- (of birds, ambitransitive) To groom; to trim or dress the feathers with the beak.
- (of people, intransitive, reflexive) To spend time making oneself attractive and admiring one's appearance, e.g. in front of a mirror.
- (intransitive) To show off, posture, or smarm.
- (transitive) To flatter.
- (dialectal) A pin.
- (dialectal) A bodkin; brooch.
Example Sentences
He preened under her compliments.
“Six look like dyin', and five dead,” preened the killer.
His preening self-satisfaction, chest thrown forward as he settles into a chair in his mansion.
She never seemed to want for siller; the house was as bright as a new preen, the yaird better delved than the manse garden; […]
Word Forms
- preens
- preening
- preened
Synonyms for preen
Depending on context, synonyms include primp, flex, swagger, boulevardier, exhibitionize, flamboast.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include dress, primp, plume, congratulate, pride, prettify.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.