preens
Fusses over appearance
Preens is the third-person singular form of the verb preen.
Birds preen when they use their beaks to clean and arrange their feathers, spreading natural oils to keep them waterproof and flight-ready.
By extension, people preen when they groom themselves with obvious self-satisfaction, fussing over their appearance in a mirror or adjusting their clothing.
The word often carries a note of vanity: He preens in front of every reflective surface he passes.
Reflective viewing surface
- primpingFussing over appearance
- narcissismExcessive admiration of oneself
- self-admirationExcessive regard for oneself
- posingAssuming an attitude
fussing · admiring · reflection · self-regard · self-absorption · appearance · beautifying · vain
Bird's complete feather coat
- feathersBird's lightweight covering
- beakHorny avian mouthpart
- oilingApplying slick substance
- smoothingReducing irregularities systematically
ruffling · fluffing · downy · tailfeathers · birdbath · waterproofing · cleaning · nibbling
Ornate pheasant relative
- struttingWalking with exaggerated pride
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
- flauntingOstentatious display of something
showing-off · posturing · parading · ostentation · pageantry · spectacle · tailfeathers · fanning
Smug triumph display
- self-satisfactionPleasure from one's achievements
- smirkingSmiling with smugness
- boastingExcessive self-praise
- baskingWarming oneself pleasantly
pride · superiority · swagger · smugness · self-congratulation · crowing · reveling · triumphant
mirror
Reflective viewing surface
- primpingFussing over appearance
- narcissismExcessive admiration of oneself
- self-admirationExcessive regard for oneself
posing · fussing · admiring · reflection · self-regard · self-absorption · appearance · beautifying · vain · preoccupied
plumage
Bird's complete feather coat
smoothing · ruffling · fluffing · downy · tailfeathers · birdbath · waterproofing · cleaning · nibbling · arranging
peacock
Ornate pheasant relative
- struttingWalking with exaggerated pride
- plumageBird's complete feather coat
- courtshipSeeking another's romantic favor
flaunting · showing-off · posturing · parading · ostentation · pageantry · spectacle · tailfeathers · fanning · iridescence
gloating
Smug triumph display
- self-satisfactionPleasure from one's achievements
- smirkingSmiling with smugness
- boastingExcessive self-praise
basking · pride · superiority · swagger · smugness · self-congratulation · crowing · reveling · triumphant · pleased