perk

1
[ purk ]
See synonyms for: perkperkedperkerperkest on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to become lively, cheerful, or vigorous, as after depression or sickness (usually followed by up): The patients all perked up when we played the piano for them.

  2. to act, or carry oneself, in a jaunty manner.

  1. to put oneself forward briskly or presumptuously.

verb (used with object)
  1. to make smart, trim, or jaunty (sometimes followed by up or out): to perk up a suit with a new white blouse.

  2. to raise smartly or briskly (often followed by up or out): to perk one's head up.

adjective
  1. perky; jaunty: a perk manner.

Origin of perk

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English perken “(of a bird) to perch on a tree”; akin to perch1

Other words from perk

  • perk·ing·ly, adverb
  • perkish, adjective

Words Nearby perk

Other definitions for perk (2 of 3)

perk2
[ purk ]

verb (used with or without object)Informal.
  1. to percolate: Has the coffee perked yet? The research team is perking with new ideas.

Origin of perk

2
An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; by shortening and respelling

Other definitions for perk (3 of 3)

perk3
[ purk ]

nounInformal.

Origin of perk

3
First recorded in 1865–70; by shortening and respelling
  • Also perc .

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use perk in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for perk (1 of 3)

perk1

/ (pɜːk) /


adjective
  1. pert; brisk; lively

verb

Origin of perk

1
C16: see perk up

British Dictionary definitions for perk (2 of 3)

perk2

/ (pɜːk) /


verbinformal
  1. (intr) (of coffee) to percolate

  2. (tr) to percolate (coffee)

British Dictionary definitions for perk (3 of 3)

perk3

/ (pɜːk) /


noun
  1. British informal short for perquisite

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012