prink

[ pringk ]

verb (used with object)

1. to dress, groom, or decorate (someone or something) in a careful and showy manner:

   He prinked and preened himself in preparation for the dance.

   Prink your hair with ribbons.

   The gazebo was prinked with flowers and buntings.

verb (used without object)

1. to dress or groom oneself with care and attention:

   She stopped before the mirror and prinked.

prink

/ prɪŋk /

verb

1. to dress (oneself, etc) finely; deck out
2. intr to preen oneself

Derived Forms

• ˈprinker, noun

Other Words From

• prinker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prink¹

First recorded in 1570–80; apparently akin to prank ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of prink¹

C16: probably changed from prank ² (to adorn, decorate)

Example Sentences

There was a simultaneous smoothing back of the hair and prinking of the dress through the room.

From Project Gutenberg

There wasn’t much “prinking and preening” before the mirror on this morning, that was sure.

From Project Gutenberg

Scant time was given to the godmothers to change their shoes, skirts, and stockings, and to prink.

From Project Gutenberg

Lily had been “prinking up” at the other end of the room while this conversation was going on.

From Project Gutenberg

It must be recorded of Amy that she deliberately "prinked" that night.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adorn
• beautify
• bedeck
• embellish
• embroider
• festoon
• fix up
• spruce up