preening: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal, descriptive, sometimes pejorative; common in literary, journalistic, and zoological contexts.
Quick answer
What does “preening” mean?
the act of grooming oneself with careful attention, especially used of birds or humans who are fussing over their appearance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
the act of grooming oneself with careful attention, especially used of birds or humans who are fussing over their appearance.
Can refer metaphorically to smug self-satisfaction, self-congratulation, or taking excessive pride in oneself, often with a focus on presenting a polished image.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'Preen' might be slightly more common in British nature writing.
Connotations
In both, the metaphorical use carries a negative connotation of vanity and self-satisfaction.
Frequency
Similar frequency; appears in similar registers (literary, critical, zoological).
Grammar
How to Use “preening” in a Sentence
[Subject] + be + preening + ([Object])[Subject] + spend/waste + time + preening[Subject] + be + preening + itself/themselvesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “preening” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The sparrow was preening its wing feathers after the bath.
- She spent ages preening in the hall mirror before the party.
American English
- The eagle preened itself on a high branch.
- He's always preening in front of any reflective surface.
adverb
British English
- He stood preeningly before the admiring crowd.
- The bird groomed itself preeningly.
American English
- She glanced preeningly at her reflection in the window.
- He accepted the compliment preeningly.
adjective
British English
- The preening behaviour of the cygnets was documented.
- He gave a preening smile to the cameras.
American English
- The preening cat licked its paw meticulously.
- Her preening attitude annoyed her practical colleagues.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used critically for someone overly focused on image rather than substance (e.g., 'The CEO's preening during the merger announcement was off-putting.').
Academic
Used in zoology/ethology for animal behavior (e.g., 'Preening is a critical maintenance behavior in avian species.').
Everyday
Describing someone spending too long in front of a mirror or acting vainly (e.g., 'He's always preening before we go out.').
Technical
Zoological term for feather maintenance; in social sciences, can describe self-presentation rituals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “preening”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “preening”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “preening”
- Using 'preening' for simple cleaning (it implies meticulous, prideful grooming).
- Confusing with 'primping' (more for hair/makeup; 'preening' is broader/often bird-specific).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly, yes. It carries connotations of vanity, self-absorption, and smugness. Neutral use is typically reserved for the literal bird behavior.
Rarely directly. It's primarily for animate subjects (birds, people, sometimes animals). Metaphorically, institutions or their representatives can be described as 'preening'.
'Grooming' is broader and more neutral (personal hygiene, animal care). 'Preening' is a specific type of grooming (especially of feathers) and strongly implies pride and meticulousness in the act.
In continuous tenses and as a noun (the act), 'preening' is very common. The base verb 'preen' is also frequent, especially in simple past/present (e.g., 'The bird preened').
the act of grooming oneself with careful attention, especially used of birds or humans who are fussing over their appearance.
Preening is usually formal, descriptive, sometimes pejorative; common in literary, journalistic, and zoological contexts. in register.
Preening: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpriːnɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpriːnɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “preen like a peacock”
- “preening one's feathers”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a vain, GREEN parrot PREENING its feathers, looking pristine.
Conceptual Metaphor
SELF-IMPORTANCE IS PREENING (e.g., 'He preened over his minor victory.').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'preening' used most literally?