preen
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
These days, pastel and fluorescent birds groom, preen and bicker in enclosures behind the home.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026
Maybe it’s happiest tucked into a cast-iron skillet, going golden and jammy while the showier types preen in their baskets.
From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2025
It might be a bank holiday in the UK, but for the designers, publicists and PAs, it'll be an extraordinarily busy day as they preen and prepare their stars to walk the grand staircase.
From BBC ● May 4, 2025
“When you have that double concentration, it really focuses you. It forces you to not lay back, becomes quite athletic. You don’t show, point, preen or strut, you do. That’s always the sweet spot.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 31, 2024
I prance from rack to rack, I preen.
From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich
Torelli is a great physical comic; even in wrist restraints, she preens.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2024
Brianne purrs and preens even as she expresses skepticism, and whines and demurs when she might bare real claws.
From New York Times ● Mar. 3, 2023
Swain’s Damon rolls on the floor and preens like a cat.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 6, 2019
It swims and preens and eats, sure, but it will never migrate over the Korean Peninsula, or use its amazing plumage to flag down a mate as it would in the wild.
From Slate ● Feb. 11, 2019
“Methinks she preens her feathers just for me,” Guildenstern boasted.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
He preened, he hugged, he shook hands and hobnobbed with legends and politicians.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 9, 2024
Jeudy pranced and preened in a squabble with Smith, the former Panthers star receiver and current NFL Network analyst, prior to the Broncos’ 19-8 loss at Kansas City last week.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 20, 2023
Some guests — who preened in eye-popping colors, aggressive patterns, velvet slippers and stiletto heels — were art-struck.
From New York Times ● Mar. 11, 2022
The performances viewers see are not mimed to a studio recording that was made in advance and preened to perfection with editing.
From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2021
She preened, then touched the gland near the top of her tail and lubricated her dry feathers with its oils.
From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
As in most of the director’s movies, the characters behave like preening betta fish.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
At 41 years old, Ronaldo represents a living, breathing, preening conundrum for his national team.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
This is not revelation: The defense secretary is well known for preening for the cameras with a level of self-regard that would embarrass most supermodels.
From Salon ● Mar. 13, 2026
Many were motionless, while others perched on rocks preening their feathers.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2025
There were always adults available to encourage this relentless preening.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Vocabulary lists containing preen
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Face It: Selfie Vocab
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Beowulf
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
