pep

[pep]

noun

1. lively spirits or energy; vigor; animation.

verb phrase

1. pep up,  to make or become spirited, vigorous, or lively; animate.

   We need something to pep up this party.

PEP

¹

/ pɛp /

acronym

1. personal equity plan: a method of saving in the U.K. with certain tax advantages, in which investments up to a fixed annual value can be purchased: replaced by the ISA in 1999 but arrangements for existing PEPs remain unchanged

abbreviation

1. political and economic planning

pep

²

/ pɛp /

noun

1. high spirits, energy, or vitality

verb

1. to liven by imbuing with new vigour

Other Word Forms

• pepful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pep¹

First recorded in 1840–50; short for pepper

Word History and Origins

Origin of pep¹

C20: short for _pepper

Example Sentences

So Long marched with the Golden Band from Tigerland and stormed into the locker room at halftime to give the team pep talks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Later, after a crisis at work ends with the police being called and a pep talk from her therapist in Linda’s office, she blurts out a soft, “I love you” as he walks away.

Read more on Salon

Together, they are trying to understand why the doxology, always sung “in one way and one way only” suddenly has been “pepped up” with an energetic organ accompaniment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Candy also became a co-owner and one-man pep squad for the Toronto Argonauts, the Canadian Football League team.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

His bullying Isaiah sprints from pep talks to threats in the same breath and runs around in nifty outfits covered in weighted beads.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• gusto 
• starch 
• verve