Definition of “preen” - English Dictionary

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“preen” in English

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preenverb

uk ​ /priːn/ us ​ /priːn/

preen verb (TIDY)

› [ I or T ] If a bird preens or preens itself, it cleans and arranges its feathers using its beak.

› [ I or T ] disapproving to spend time making yourself look attractive:

Roald always spends ages preening (himself) before he goes out.

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(Definition of “preen” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“preen” in American English

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preenverb [ I/T ]

us ​ /prin/

› (of a bird) to clean and arrange its feathers using its beak

› People who preen make themselves more attractive:

[ I ] As they preened in the sun, Evelyn snapped photos of them.

(Definition of “preen” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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