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• pep
  pep

  noun

  lively spirits or energy; vigor; animation.
• PEP
  PEP

  acronym

  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

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

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Etymology

Origin of pep

First recorded in 1840–50; short for pepper

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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

See Examples For:

pep PEP

But after 54 hours of work and several timely pep talks, Claude overcame its skepticism—and its case of impostor syndrome— and surprised itself with the result.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

As he left, Turner gave a brief faith-laced pep talk for a group of young Dream Center residents in the audience.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

I’m back from a matrimonial break with a pep in my step and a shiny new ring on my finger.

From Slate ● Aug. 5, 2026

After the win against Qatar, Carney gave the team a pep talk in the Vancouver stadium locker room.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2026

She loved the way he was with children, particularly those who worshiped him and came to the school pep rallies wearing a jersey with his number, 20, on it.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Another new law will enhance access to drugs known as PrEP and PEP, which are aimed at preventing HIV.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026

PepsiCo PEP -0.43%decrease; red down pointing triangle just pulled off something rare in the food industry: It got consumers to come back.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026

Cut prices—as PepsiCo PEP 1.47%increase; green up pointing triangle and General Mills are now doing on some products—and you erode margins with no guarantee that volumes return.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 29, 2026

In June 2024, the CDC officially recommended doxy PEP for men who have sex with men and transgender women to treat syphilis, chlamydia or gonorrhea.

From Salon ● Jan. 17, 2025

Our confidence and belief in PEP were amply justified.

From Think A Book for To-day by Col. Wm. C. Hunter

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Related Words

• gusto
• starch
• verve

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