preen

Từ điển LongMan Dictionary

preen/priːn/ verb [INTRANSITIVE AND TRANSITIVE]
[date : 1400-1500; Origin : Probably from Old French proignier; ⇨ prune¹]
1. if a bird preens or preens itself, it cleans itself and makes its feathers smooth using its beak

2. to spend time making yourself look tidier and more attractive
preen yourself
　 ▪ a girl preening herself in the mirror

3. to look proud and feel pleased because of something you have done
preen yourself
　 ▪ He enjoyed the applause, preening himself like a pop star.

verb
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ Alistair sniffed, but he preened too.
▪ Capshaw was at the window, preening.
▪ Ducks preened where raisins had dried.
▪ Her island was peopled with plumed parrots, preening dodos, psychedelic land crabs.
▪ I was so proud of him, and maybe he preened himself a little, too!
▪ Mist hung over the water and the huge concourse of duck swam and ducked and preened.
▪ The ratbird climbed on and began to preen its fur unconcernedly.
▪ The rest of the time he preened a lot and stretched often.

• Từ đồng nghĩa / Synonyms:
  primp, plume, dress, congratulate