English Explanatory Dictionary

preen

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A forked tool used by clothiers for dressing cloth.
  2. A pin.
  3. A bodkin; brooch.
verb
  1. To pin; fasten.
verb
  1. To groom; to trim or dress the feathers with the beak.
  2. To spend time making oneself attractive and admiring one's appearance, e.g. in front of a mirror.
  3. To show off, posture, or smarm.
  4. To flatter.
  5. To comb; to make orderly.
  6. To trim up, as trees.
  7. To improve the appearance of; groom; prettify.

Pronunciation

/pɹiːn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-preen.wav

Word forms

preen preens prin preening preened

Etymology

From Middle English pren, from Old English prēon, from Proto-Germanic *preunaz (compare Icelandic prjónn (“pin, knitting-needle”), Danish pryne (“needle, eel-spear”)), of uncertain origin, but perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *brewn- (“protrusion, tip, edge”) (compare Lithuanian briaunà (“edge”), Albanian brez (“belt, girdle”)). Cognate with German Pfriem. The verb is from Middle English prenen, from pren (“a preen”), akin to German pfriemen.

Synonyms

primp smarten up flex fluff one's feathers swagger aura farm boulevardier cut a wide swath cut it fat cut round exhibitionize figure away flamboast flaunt floss gallery high-side let one's nuts hang ostent ostentate preen showboat show away show off strut strut one's stuff stunt swag it out swank three-sheet venditate yaya jolly puff stroke brush up to collogue flatter flatterize glaver gloze lay it on thick make fair weather palaver soothe speak well of tickle the ear

Related words

primp

Derived words

preen oil allopreen allopreening outpreen preener preeningly unpreened
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