preen Meaning & Definition
What Does Preen Mean?
As a noun, preen means A forked tool used by clothiers for dressing cloth. It can also mean A pin. As a verb, it means To pin; fasten. As a verb, it means To groom; to trim or dress the feathers with the beak.
Preen at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /pɹiːn/ |
| Synonyms | plume, dress and primp |
| Plural | preens |
| Verb forms | preens, preening, preened |
Preen Definition (Noun)
- A forked tool used by clothiers for dressing cloth.
- A pin.
- A bodkin; brooch.
Preen as a Verb
- To pin; fasten.
Verb
- To groom; to trim or dress the feathers with the beak.
- To spend time making oneself attractive and admiring one's appearance, e.g. in front of a mirror.
- To show off, posture, or smarm.
- To flatter.
- To comb; to make orderly.
- To trim up, as trees.
- To improve the appearance of; groom; prettify.
Noun
- (dialectal) pin
- (dialectal) bodkin; brooch
Verb
- (of birds) To groom; to trim or dress with the beak, as the feathers.
Synonyms of Preen
Preen synonyms and antonyms →Word Forms & Grammar
preen (plural preens)
preen (third-person singular simple present preens, present participle preening, simple past and past participle preened)
Words That Rhyme With Preen
Origin of Preen
Origin 1: From Middle English pren, from Old English prēon, from Proto-Germanic *preunaz (compare Icelandic prjónn (“pin, knitting-needle”), Danish pryne (“needle, eel-spear”)), of uncertain origin, but perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *brewn- (“protrusion, tip, edge”) (compare Lithuanian briaunà (“edge”), Albanian brez (“belt, girdle”)). Cognate with German Pfriem. The verb is from Middle English prenen, from pren (“a preen”), akin to German pfriemen.
Origin 2: Variant of prune (by influence of preen above). Attested in Chaucer (c. 1395) in the variants preyneth, prayneth, proyneth, prunyht, pruneth, from Old French proignier (“to trim the feathers with the beak”).
Frequently Asked Questions About Preen
Is preen a noun or a verb?
Preen is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for preen?
You can replace preen with words such as plume, dress and primp. See the full list of preen synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of preen?
The plural of preen is preens.
What is the past tense of preen?
The past tense of preen is preened. The present participle is preening.