Preen (Verb)

Meaning ¹

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 ²

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

Classification

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.

Examples

• The seagulls spent hours preening their feathers on the beach.
• The mother bird taught her chicks to preen their feathers every morning.
• After the bath, the duck preened its plumage, smoothing out every feather.
• The peacock preened its vibrant tail, spreading it wide for all to see.
• The swan gently preened its mate's feathers, a tender display of affection.

Synonyms

• Plume

Hypernyms

• Make Clean
• Set Up

Meaning ³

Pride or congratulate (oneself) for an achievement.

Classification

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.

Synonyms

• Congratulate

Hypernyms

• Triumph
• Crow