Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb preen

3 senses of preen

Sense 1
preen, plume -- (clean with one's bill; "The birds preened")
       => arrange, set up -- (put into a proper or systematic order; "arrange the books on the shelves in chronological order")
       => clean, make clean -- (make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from; "Clean the stove!"; "The dentist cleaned my teeth")

Sense 2
preen, congratulate -- (pride or congratulate (oneself) for an achievement)
       => gloat, triumph, crow -- (dwell on with satisfaction)

Sense 3
preen, primp, plume, dress -- (dress or groom with elaborate care; "She likes to dress when going to the opera")
       => overdress, dress up, fig out, fig up, deck up, gussy up, fancy up, trick up, deck out, trick out, prink, attire, get up, rig out, tog up, tog out -- (put on special clothes to appear particularly appealing and attractive; "She never dresses up, even when she goes to the opera"; "The young girls were all fancied up for the party")