'Preen' definitions:
Definition of 'preen'
(from WordNet)
verb
Clean with one's bill; "The birds preened" [syn: preen, plume]
verb
Pride or congratulate (oneself) for an achievement [syn: preen, congratulate]
verb
Definition of 'Preen'
From: GCIDE
- Preen \Preen\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Preened; p. pr. & vb. n. Preening.] [See Preen, n.; or cf. Prune.]
- 1. To dress with, or as with, a preen; to trim or dress with the beak, as the feathers; -- said of birds. --Derham. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To trim up, as trees. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell. [1913 Webster]
- 3. Hence: To dress (oneself) carefully or stylishly; to primp. [PJC]
- 4. To pride (oneself) on one's accomplishments; to congratulate (oneself). [PJC]
Definition of 'Preen'
From: GCIDE
- Preen \Preen\, v. i. To dress up neatly and smartly; to make oneself well-groomed and well-dressed. [PJC]
- 2. To feel proud of one's achievement; to swell or gloat. [PJC]
Definition of 'Preen'
From: GCIDE
- Preen \Preen\, n. [AS. pre['o]n a clasp, bodkin; akin to D. priem punch, bodkin, awl, G. pfriem, Icel. prj[=o]nn a knitting needle, pin, Dan. preen a bodkin, punch.] A forked tool used by clothiers in dressing cloth. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'preen'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- adorn,
- array,
- beautify,
- bedeck,
- bedizen,
- blazon,
- brush up,
- clean,
- color,
- dandify,
- deck,
- deck out,
- decorate,
- dizen,
- doll up,
- dress,
- dress up,
- embellish,
- emblazon,
- embroider,
- enrich,
- fettle,
- fig out,
- fix up,
- furbish,
- garnish,
- grace,
- groom,
- gussy up,
- manicure,
- ornament,
- paint,
- pique,
- plume,
- prank,
- prank up,
- prettify,
- primp,
- primp up,
- prink,
- prink up,
- redecorate,
- redo,
- refurbish,
- set off,
- set out,
- smarten,
- smarten up,
- spruce up,
- titivate,
- trick out,
- trick up,
- trim