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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

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

See Examples For:

pep PEP

More disappointing is watching a role held aloft by Witherspoon’s charisma and unsinkable pep be submerged in attitudinal gloom despite Minetree’s best efforts.

From Salon ● Jul. 6, 2026

Young people deserve better than "warmed-over revivals missing all of the pep, colour and dazzle of their predecessors", he concluded.

From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026

Ms. Kenny is particularly outraged that they have pep rallies before state-testing days.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 12, 2026

Dancers bounced to the sound of BTS on an avenue in Mexico City, clapping and screaming at a pep rally kicking off a string of concerts by the South Korean superstars.

From Barron's ● May 5, 2026

“I just don’t have much pep any more. I guess I feel sad because I won’t ever see my children.”

From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

PepsiCo PEP 1.53%increase; green up pointing triangle pulled its sponsorship of a planned London music festival that booked Kanye West as the headline performer.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 5, 2026

PepsiCo PEP 0.42%increase; green up pointing triangle struck an agreement with activist investor Elliott Investment Management, committing to cut costs across the company and lower prices in its slowing food business.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 8, 2025

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

Officials call the treatment doxy PEP, short for doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 4, 2024

C. Hunter More Good Stuff like PEP 256 pages, $1.00 This book is the same size as PEP but has thirty-two pages more.

From Evening Round Up More Good Stuff Like Pep by Hunter, William Crosbie

Related Words

• gusto
• starch
• verve