preen
Fuss over feathers
Preen originally describes what birds do—running feathers through the beak to clean and arrange them.
By extension, people preen when they groom themselves with obvious self-satisfaction, fussing over appearance in a mirror: She preened before the party.
Figuratively, to preen is to congratulate oneself smugly: He preened over his test scores.
Bristled cleaning tool
- combToothed grooming implement
- primpGroom oneself fastidiously
- tidyFree from clutter
- spruceNeat; also a conifer
neaten · polish · style · trim · tweeze · manicure · pedicure · moisturize
Bird's complete feather coat
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- beakHorny avian mouthpart
- birdbathOutdoor water basin for avians
- fluffingMaking something fuller
ruffling · pecking · scratching · molting · sunbathing · avian · ornithology · waterfowl
Reflective viewing surface
- narcissismExcessive admiration of oneself
- conceitExaggerated self-admiration
- vainExcessively proud or futile
- selfiePhoto of oneself
self-admiration · self-absorption · primping · posturing · smugness · swagger · airs · affectation
Proud, showy gait
- flauntDisplay to provoke envy
- show-offOne who flaunts
- paradeCeremonial public procession
- peacockingOstentatious self-display
posture · swagger · showmanship · flaunting · ostentation · exhibitionism · spectacle · presentation
Pleasure from one's achievements
- smugnessExcessive pride in oneself
- gloatingSmug triumph display
- boastfulnessExcessive pride in oneself
- triumphResounding, celebrated victory
self-congratulation · complacency · satisfaction · pleased · basking · reveling · chest-puffing · crowing
brush
Bristled cleaning tool
spruce · neaten · polish · style · trim · tweeze · manicure · pedicure · moisturize · exfoliate
plumage
Bird's complete feather coat
fluffing · ruffling · pecking · scratching · molting · sunbathing · avian · ornithology · waterfowl · songbird
mirror
Reflective viewing surface
- narcissismExcessive admiration of oneself
- conceitExaggerated self-admiration
- vainExcessively proud or futile
selfie · self-admiration · self-absorption · primping · posturing · smugness · swagger · airs · affectation · self-importance
strut
Proud, showy gait
peacocking · posture · swagger · showmanship · flaunting · ostentation · exhibitionism · spectacle · presentation · flourish
self-satisfaction
Pleasure from one's achievements
- smugnessExcessive pride in oneself
- gloatingSmug triumph display
- boastfulnessExcessive pride in oneself
triumph · self-congratulation · complacency · satisfaction · pleased · basking · reveling · chest-puffing · crowing · glorying
- groomingbrushing teeth, clean shave, bathe, groomed, haircut
- Braggingbrag, gloat, show off, flex, swagger
- showing offboasting, bragged, show off, bragging, boasted
- arrogancearrogant, conceited, pompous, vain, haughty
- raptorseagle, falcon, hawk, owl, vulture
- bird anatomybeak, feathers, wings, tail feathers, wing feathers