Preen (Verb)

Meaning ¹

Clean with one's bill; "The birds preened".

Classification

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.

Examples

• The mother bird gently preened her chicks to keep them clean and warm.
• With feathers ruffled, the wet seagull began to preen itself to restore its usual shine.
• Preening her plumage was an essential part of the peacock's daily grooming ritual.
• The birds preened on the telephone wires, their early morning songs filling the air.
• As the swan glided across the pond, it paused to preen its beautiful white feathers.

Synonyms

• Plume

Hypernyms

• Make Clean
• Set Up

Meaning ²

Dress or groom with elaborate care; "She likes to dress when going to the opera".

Classification

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care.

Synonyms

• Primp
• Plume
• Dress

Hypernyms

• Get Up
• Trick Out
• Attire
• Deck Out
• Fancy Up
• Tog Up
• Fig Up
• Rig Out
• Deck Up
• Dress Up
• Fig Out
• Gussy Up
• Trick Up
• Prink
• Tog Out

Meaning ³

Pride or congratulate (oneself) for an achievement.

Classification

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.

Synonyms

• Congratulate

Hypernyms

• Triumph
• Crow