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

Example Sentences

Each roughly 25-minute episode feels like a stealth pep talk packed with recommendations and insight, and who among us can’t use one of those?

From Salon

Data showing US unemployment rising and inflation slowing gave the Federal Reserve more room to lower borrowing costs and provided some much-needed pep to markets after a recent swoon.

From Barron's

“I could ride along. Give moral support. Maybe a pep talk over lunch?”

From Literature

Penelope was glad to see Mrs. Clarke so full of pep, but she wished the housekeeper had paused to answer her question.

From Literature

It was one of the new shiny red Bloomer engines, a flashy piece of engineering and full of pep, too.

From Literature

Related Words

• gusto
• starch
• verve