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Preen hatched in 14th-century Middle English, and early on it displayed various spelling forms, including prenen, prayne, prene, and preyne. The word traces to the Anglo-French puroindre, or proindre, linking pur-, meaning "thoroughly," with uindre, oindre, meaning "to anoint or rub." One of the first writers known to apply preen to the human act of primping was Geoffrey Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales: "He preens himself and prunes and combs his curls / To take the fancy of this queen of girls." Centuries later (sometime during the late 19th century), the prideful meaning of preen took flight, joining bird-related verbs plume, which was being used with the meaning "to pride or congratulate (oneself)," and peacock, a word still used today to mean "to show off."
Examples of preen in a Sentence
Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025
The two birds often perch very close together, preening each other’s feathers — a behavior called allopreening — which probably helps strengthen their bond.
—Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
As these gentlemen posed and preened, a new, colonial modern style emerged.
—H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 13 Sep. 2025
Demerzel gasps, and for once Day isn’t preening in the mirror but bowing his head.
—Jp Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preen
Cite this Entry
“Preen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preen. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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