How to pronounce preen
Say it like PREEN. Preen is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce preen. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PREEN
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Preen pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PREENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of preen
American and British speakers say preen in essentially the same way: /prin/ in the US and /priːn/ in the UK.
British respelling: PREEN.
What does preen mean?
- A forked tool used by clothiers for dressing cloth.
- To pin; fasten.
- To groom; to trim or dress the feathers with the beak.
- To spend time making oneself attractive and admiring one's appearance, e.g. in front of a mirror.
- To show off, posture, or smarm.
Where does preen come from?
The verb is from Middle English prenen, from pren (“a preen”), akin to German pfriemen.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with preen
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of preen.
Questions about saying preen
How do you pronounce preen?
Say PREEN. The American pronunciation is /prin/. In British English it is /priːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in preen?
Preen is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: PREEN.
Do Americans and Brits say preen the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /prin/ and the British form is /priːn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.