Preen

Pronunciation: /ˈpriːn/

Preen (verb)

  1. When a bird cleans and arranges its feathers with its beak.
  2. To feel very proud and satisfied with yourself, often about your appearance.
  3. To make yourself look neat and tidy, often by fixing your clothes or hair.

Examples

  • The parrot preened its feathers after a bath.
  • Birds often preen to keep their feathers in good condition.

Common collocations: preen feathers, preen itself, preen oneself, preen with pride, preen clothes

Synonyms of Preen

Neutral

Informal

Antonyms of Preen

  • failing to care for appearance