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• pep
  pep

  noun

  lively spirits or energy; vigor; animation.
• PEP
  PEP

  acronym

  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

pep

American  

[pep] / pɛp /

noun

1. lively spirits or energy; vigor; animation.

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verb phrase

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

   We need something to pep up this party.

PEP ¹ British  

/ 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

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abbreviation

1. political and economic planning

pep ² British  

/ pɛp /

noun

1. high spirits, energy, or vitality

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verb

1. to liven by imbuing with new vigour

Other Word Forms

• pepful
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of pep

First recorded in 1840–50; short for pepper

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Explanation

Pep is a high spirited kind of energy. It takes a lot of pep (and pom-poms) to be a cheerleader. Watching a school play in which the actors are full of pep is a lot more fun than seeing lethargic performers halfheartedly go through the motions. After a good night's sleep and a cup of tea, you might have plenty of pep to start your day — but it might take your older sister longer to truly wake up. Pep first appeared in 1912, as a shortened form of pepper, which once meant "moxie" or "gusto."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pep PEP

Let’s all join in a big pep squad cheer — gimme an E! — for Eric Sondheimer’s 50th anniversary covering high school sports in Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

But after 54 hours of work and several timely pep talks, Claude overcame its skepticism—and its case of impostor syndrome— and surprised itself with the result.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

I’m back from a matrimonial break with a pep in my step and a shiny new ring on my finger.

From Slate ● Aug. 5, 2026

After getting a pep talk from Ted Lasso and his assistant coach Beard, Bieber changed the pace of the otherwise energetic performances with an acoustic guitar version of 'Everything Hallelujah'.

From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026

My parents are standing by the door as Dylan follows me out of my bedroom, where he’s been hitting me with decent pep talk the past half hour.

From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Another new law will enhance access to drugs known as PrEP and PEP, which are aimed at preventing HIV.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026

PepsiCo PEP -0.43%decrease; red down pointing triangle just pulled off something rare in the food industry: It got consumers to come back.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026

Its maker, PepsiCo PEP -1.39%decrease; red down pointing triangle , is convinced Lay’s can have an even stronger appeal by marketing the brand’s farm roots and appearing healthier.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2025

However, many health departments had already started offering doxy PEP due to the overwhelmingly positive response it showed in clinical trials, reducing chlamydia and gonorrhea by 70% and 50%, respectively.

From Salon ● Jan. 17, 2025

As stated in PEP I walk from my home to my office, something less than four miles, and it takes me about an hour to make the trip.

From Evening Round Up More Good Stuff Like Pep by William Crosbie Hunter

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Related Words

• gusto
• starch
• verve

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