pep

[ pep ]

/ pɛp /

Informal.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pep ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

lively spirits or energy; vigor; animation.

Verb Phrases past and past participle pepped up, present participle pep·ping up.

pep up, to make or become spirited, vigorous, or lively; animate: We need something to pep up this party.

Nearby words

people's party, people's republic of china, peoplehood, peoria, peotillomania, pep, pep pill, pep rally, pep someone up, pep talk, peperomia

Origin of pep

First recorded in 1840–50; short for pepper

Related formspep·ful, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pep

Thankfully, Aquaman is there to save the situation and give her a pep talk, while she clutches a teddy bear.
Wonder Woman Takes a Big Step Back|Hugh Ryan|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He knew I was in a deep depression, dark moods, and he would spend time with me, trying to give me pep talks.
The Flying New York Fireman Who Shined on 9/11|Michael Daly|September 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Crazy Eyes sits down with her and gives her a pep talk and a hug.
‘Orange Is the New Black’ Season 2: The Finest, Funniest, and Most Terrifying Moments of Eps. 1-6|Kevin Fallon, Marlow Stern|June 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The sun beat down as the procession halted behind the parking lot for Pep Boys, a repair garage.
Mardi Gras Indian Chief Larry Bannock’s Final Ride|Jason Berry|May 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The pint-size prez gave the pep talk of the year, encouraging people everywhere to take risks and make the world a better place.
Rob Ford, Kid President, What the Fox Say?, and More Viral Videos|The Daily Beast Video|December 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Pep darted down the stairs, his eyes glancing in every direction.
The Motion Picture Chums at Seaside Park|Victor Appleton
And while she was at our house she seemed full of life and pep.
Torchy and Vee|Sewell Ford
I have placed copies of "Pep" in their hands and watched courage, faith, cheer and sereneness come to them.
Evening Round Up|William Crosbie Hunter
Pep here was right about Carrington being bound on the same mission to the city as myself.
The Motion Picture Chums at Seaside Park|Victor Appleton
This Pep of yours was passing my place when I heard a woman shriek a bit ahead.
The Motion Picture Chums at Seaside Park|Victor Appleton

British Dictionary definitions for pep (1 of 2)

pep

/ (pɛp) /

noun

high spirits, energy, or vitality

verb peps, pepping or pepped

(tr usually foll by up) to liven by imbuing with new vigour

Word Origin for pep

C20: short for pepper

British Dictionary definitions for pep (2 of 2)

PEP

/ (pɛp) /

n acronym for

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 for

political and economic planning

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

Word Origin and History for pep

pep

"vigor, energy," 1912, shortened form of pepper (n.), which was used in the figurative sense of "spirit, energy" from at least 1847. Pep rally is attested from 1945; pep talk from 1926. To pep (something) up is from 1925.

pep

noun

Verb Phrases past and past participle pepped up, present participle pep·ping up.

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Origin of pep

Examples from the Web for pep

British Dictionary definitions for pep (1 of 2)

pep