pep

American  

[pep] / pɛp /

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 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

---

abbreviation

1. political and economic planning

pep ² British  

/ pɛp /

noun

1. high spirits, energy, or vitality

---

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

A similar pep talk was in order before Sunday’s final round.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

"I love my job but it's got to the point where you've got to give yourself a bit of a pep talk in the morning because of what might happen," she said.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Think of it as a pep rally where family members hype the gymnasts.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

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 • Dec. 26, 2025

“I’ve been thinking. All my old schools had pep rallies for the football team, no matter how badly they played. Could we do something like that for the town?”

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Related Words

• gusto
• starch
• verve