preen: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Mostly formal/literary; can be neutral or slightly humorous when applied to humans.
Quick answer
What does “preen” mean?
(of a bird) To clean and arrange its feathers with its beak.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(of a bird) To clean and arrange its feathers with its beak.
To spend time making oneself look attractive and then admire one's appearance; to take great pride or pleasure in one's achievements or appearance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in UK literary contexts.
Connotations
Same connotation of self-satisfied grooming/pride in both dialects.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both dialects, slightly higher in written British English.
Grammar
How to Use “preen” in a Sentence
[subject] preens [object: feathers/itself][subject] preens [preposition: on/over] [object: achievement/success]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “preen” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The swan preened its immaculate white feathers by the Serpentine.
- He would preen himself on his Oxford education at every opportunity.
American English
- The cardinal preened its bright red feathers on the backyard fence.
- She preened in the mirror, satisfied with her new haircut.
adverb
British English
- No common adverb form.
American English
- No common adverb form.
adjective
British English
- No common adjective form.
American English
- No common adjective form.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: "The CEO preened over the quarterly profits."
Academic
Used in ornithology/biology texts. In humanities, used metaphorically for human behavior.
Everyday
Most commonly used humorously or critically: "He spent ages preening before his date."
Technical
Standard term in ornithology for feather maintenance behavior.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “preen”
- Using "preen" for inanimate objects (e.g., preening a dress).
- Confusing with "prune" (to trim plants).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be used for any animal that grooms itself meticulously (e.g., cats preening their fur).
Not always, but it often implies excessive pride, vanity, or self-satisfaction, giving it a slightly negative or humorous tone.
'Preen' originates from bird behavior and can imply pride. 'Primp' is specifically for people adjusting hair or clothes, often in a fussy way.
Yes, e.g., "preen its feathers," "preen oneself." It can also be intransitive: "The bird preened for minutes."
(of a bird) To clean and arrange its feathers with its beak.
Preen is usually mostly formal/literary; can be neutral or slightly humorous when applied to humans. in register.
Preen: in British English it is pronounced /priːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /priːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “preen and strut”
- “preen oneself on something”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a proud, green parrot PREening its feathers in front of a mirror. PREen = PRide + greEN.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELF-SATISFACTION IS GROOMING (e.g., "He preened over the compliments.")
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'preen' correctly in its ORIGINAL, literal sense?