peppy
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of peppy
Explanation
Are you energetic, full of enthusiasm, and a little bit bubbly? Then you can describe yourself as peppy! When you're feeling peppy, you're lighthearted and cheerful, practically bouncing along — think of a peppy cheerleader. Peppy songs make you want to tap your toe, and peppy party guests keep things fun when you're celebrating. This North American adjective first appeared around 1915, from pep, shorthand for pepper, which was used to mean "spirit or energy" starting around 1845.
Vocabulary lists containing peppy
Flying Lessons & Other Stories
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The 47 People You'll Meet in Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Shares go for 84 times forward earnings on expectations of a peppy bounce back in earnings through the end of the decade.
From Barron's • May 1, 2026
“It looks and feels genuinely premium both inside and out, and a smooth ride and peppy powertrain make it nice to drive too,” Edmunds’s Counts told MarketWatch.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
The young participants are introduced in the titular opening number, a peppy, melodious song that strikes notes of excitement mixed with anxiety.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 24, 2025
But the encouragement, delivered in a peppy, upbeat cadence, never stopped.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 28, 2025
She often told an outward lie, willing herself to be peppy in church, at school, using positive affirmation, which turns out not to be at all the same thing as telling the truth.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
