preen

About 0.10 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun A forked tool used by clothiers for dressing cloth.
2. noun A pin.
3. noun A bodkin; brooch.
4. verb To pin; fasten.
5. verb To groom; to trim or dress the feathers with the beak.
6. verb To spend time making oneself attractive and admiring one's appearance, e.g. in front of a mirror.
7. verb To show off, posture, or smarm.
8. verb To flatter.

Similar words

dress primp plume congratulate pride prettify groom pinking iron preeming crisper

Often followed by

themselves and their gland himself in his itself herself

Word family

preened preener preeners preening preens