preen
noun
\ ĖprÄn
\
\
Definition of preen
(Entry 1 of 3)
preen
verb (1)
preened;
preening;
preens
Definition of preen (Entry 2 of 3)
preen
verb (2)
preened;
preening;
preens
Definition of preen (Entry 3 of 3)
1
of a bird
: to groom with the bill especially by rearranging the barbs and barbules of the feathers and by distributing oil from the uropygial gland
2
: to dress or smooth (oneself) up : primp
3
: to pride or congratulate (oneself) on an achievement
1
: to make oneself sleek
2
: to behave or speak with obvious pride or self-satisfaction
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Examples of preen in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
National conservatives preen as defenders of the dignity of the rural and small-town ā mostly white and non-college educated ā working class. — George Will, Twin Cities, "George Will: āNational conservatismā is āElizabeth Warren conservatismā," 11 Aug. 2019 National conservatives preen as defenders of the dignity of the rural and small-town ā mostly white and non-college educated ā working class. — George F. Will, The Denver Post, "Will: āNational conservatismā is āElizabeth Warren conservatismā," 11 Aug. 2019 Sebastian Velasquez, the youth category winner, zoomed in on a single horned puffin preening its feathers at the Alaska Sea Life Center. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "Audubon Photography Award Winners Show the Breathtaking Beauty of Wild Birds," 16 July 2019 No one comes to preen and promote, and failing to listen is a cardinal sin. — Nicole Blackwood, chicagotribune.com, "āGrandmaās Houseā open mic builds chosen family from poetry performance," 25 June 2019 Several minutes after their first interaction, Queenie preened away from the two boys, who found a shallow place to clean themselves off. — Ryan Gillespie, orlandosentinel.com, "Will Queenie find love? Two new black-necked swans released into Lake Eola, where the solitary female awaited," 25 June 2019 Like a preening pageant contestant, the restaurant is beautiful and knows it. — Michael Mayo, sun-sentinel.com, "Review: The Terrace Grill at the Dalmar in Fort Lauderdale is a good-looking disappointment," 20 June 2019 Pesticides remain widely used to keep parks, playgrounds, playing fields ā and golf courses ā pristine, polished and preened. — oregonlive.com, "Son nagged by golfing dadās death from a rare cancer; were pesticides at fault?," 15 June 2019 Without our irrepressible divas, weād be stuck with a bunch of preening clowns in megalithic ten-gallon hats who grew up in Dayton, Ohio. — Joe Queenan, WSJ, "We Can All Be Thankful America Doesnāt Have Putin," 24 Nov. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for preen
preen
verb
\ ĖprÄn
\
\
preened;
preening
Kids Definition of preen
1
: to smooth and clean with the bill
The sparrow preened its feathers.
2
: to make a person's own appearance neat and tidy
He preened himself in front of the mirror.