preen
verb

- to spend time making oneself look attractive (often disapproving)

- to feel very proud or satisfied with oneself because of an action or quality (often disapproving)

- (of a bird) to clean and arrange its feathers using its beak

Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

The verb preen derived from preynen (later prenen), meaning to trim. Both of these forms are variants of the Middle English proinen, which also meant to trim. Also related is prune, meaning to cut off parts that are no longer needed (old feathers, plants). Both preen and prune were possibly borrowed from the Old French proignier, meaning to cut something back.

Although many people spend a considerable amount of time making themselves look good, even the most well-groomed human is no match for birds when it comes to preening.

A good share of a bird's day is spent cleaning, primping, and sprucing up. Apart from the aim of attracting a mate, this routine serves the purpose of keeping the feathers clean, lubricated and in good aerodynamic shape. The average bird has more than 2,000 feathers. Maintaining that type of plumage requires more than just a weekend beauty bath!


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SYNONYMS

(to groom)
beautify, deck out, doll up, dress up, fix up, primp, smarten up, spiff, spruce up

(to boast)
aggrandize, crow, exaggerate, flaunt, grandstand, prate, show off, showboat, sound off, strut, swagger, talk big

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation
say something like:

"I like to PREEN myself before a video call. It gives me a feeling of pride in my job and confidence in myself."