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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

Etymology

Origin of pep

First recorded in 1840–50; short for pepper

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

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

To deal with others, he has sent Karoline Leavitt, his pep secretary, into the Brady Briefing Room to handle the reporters he despises.

From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026

College graduates get a pep talk—and a wake-up call—as they embark on their careers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 16, 2026

Dancers bounced to the sound of BTS on an avenue in Mexico City, clapping and screaming at a pep rally kicking off a string of concerts by the South Korean superstars.

From Barron's ● May 5, 2026

For example, use your school colors for pep rallies or other fundraisers.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

PepsiCo PEP 1.53%increase; green up pointing triangle pulled its sponsorship of a planned London music festival that booked Kanye West as the headline performer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 2026

PepsiCo PEP 1.02%increase; green up pointing triangle is looking to cut prices by as much as 15% on products including Lay’s potato chips and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026

This year, a federally-funded study will be launched to test the effect of doxy PEP in people assigned female at birth, so more data should be forthcoming.

From Salon ● Jan. 17, 2025

Officials call the treatment doxy PEP, short for doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 4, 2024

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 Hunter, William Crosbie

Related Words

• gusto
• starch
• verve