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

"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

And a quick pep talk, if you need one: most neighbors are genuinely happy to meet you!

From Salon • Jan. 27, 2026

Cady also was the high school coach in Northern California for Oaks Christian coach Mark Amaral and recently dropped by to give a pep talk to the Oaks Christian players.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2026

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 • Dec. 23, 2025

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

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• gusto
• starch
• verve